Ongoing Formation for Young Jesuit Priests
Da Lat, August 15-17, 2026 – Following several days of the Spiritual Exercises, during which each person was given time and space to encounter the Lord and remain with Him, the young Jesuit priests of the Vietnamese Province gathered at the Da Lat Pastoral Center for a time of ongoing formation. These three days became a precious opportunity to learn, pray, share, and reflect together on their vocation and mission.
The formation program began on the afternoon of August 15 with a session on “Self-Care,” led by Fr. Vincent Nguyen Minh Phuc, SJ. Rooted in the conviction that God loves and cares for each person, the priests were invited to reflect on how they care for their physical health, psychological and emotional well-being, spiritual life, and relationships. Amid the demands of ministry, priests can easily become accustomed to giving themselves to others while neglecting their own well-being. Thus, the question, “Am I caring for myself adequately, appropriately, and well?” became a sincere invitation for each participant to pause and assess his own life.
The following morning, through the session “The Complete Human Ecosystem,” the priests continued to explore the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. Becoming more aware of what is happening within oneself helps foster a more integrated life - one marked by inner stability, resilience, vitality, healthy relationships, and peace of heart. These reflections helped the participants recognize that caring for one’s inner life is not secondary, but essential for sustaining a balanced and fruitful ministry over the long term.
On the morning of August 17, the day began with a prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, reflecting on the Gospel of the rich young man who sought eternal life (Mt 19,16-22). The image of Jesus looking at the young man and loving him offered a profound point of reflection for those living the priestly vocation. Before being sent to accomplish anything for the Lord, each person is first someone who is loved and called by Him. It is from this experience of being loved that a disciple can generously respond and commit himself to the mission.
During a meeting and sharing session with the young priests, Provincial Superior Fr. Joseph Pham Tuan Nghia, SJ, shared his concerns and hopes regarding Jesuit formation and mission, particularly in light of the recent reflections of the Superior General during the meeting of Major Superiors. As the Superior General emphasized, formation does not end with ordination or final vows; rather, it is a lifelong journey. It is a journey through which a Jesuit is continually invited to become a person who is free in the Lord, capable of discernment, and ready to be sent wherever the mission calls. Formation, therefore, is not simply about “going through” the various stages of training, but about allowing what one has learned to become deeply internalized and expressed in the way one lives as a Jesuit.
The Provincial also emphasized the invitation to move beyond the limits of a particular Province and to embrace the international and universal dimension of the Jesuit mission. In a rapidly changing world, challenges such as safeguarding minors, intellectual formation, artificial intelligence, community life, psychological well-being, and apostolic adaptation require greater collaboration and the sharing of resources among Provinces. In particular, the formation of formators, continuity in the formation process, and the development of a culture that safeguards the most vulnerable were highlighted as important priorities.
For young priests especially, the Provincial stressed the importance of continued accompaniment. After ordination, a priest may enter an apostolic life marked by numerous responsibilities and, at times, loneliness. What matters, therefore, is not only the question, “What is Father doing?” but also: “How is he living? How is his relationship with the Lord? Does he have someone accompanying him?”
Another concern raised during the sharing was intellectual formation in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, AI can help people access information rapidly, but it cannot replace the human capacity for reflection, prayer, discernment, and judgment. Jesuits today are therefore called not simply to know more, but to think more deeply and discern more wisely.
Alongside the various sessions, the moments of dialogue and sharing among the young priests were an essential part of the formation days. The priests shared with one another the joys, concerns, and challenges they encounter in their different apostolic settings. Through these concrete stories of ministry, each person had the opportunity to better understand and support his brothers, while also discovering anew that he does not walk alone on the journey of service.
The three days of ongoing formation concluded in a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude to the Lord for the many graces received during these days, and trust that He will continue to accompany, form, and sustain these young Jesuit priests, so that in every circumstance they may remain free in the Lord and generously dedicate themselves to the mission entrusted to them.
Fr. Trung Hung, S.J.
