Growing up in Vietnam, he learnt how to grow vegetables in the most improbable flowerbeds—something that will serve him well as he now sows the seed of the Word. Deacon Paul’s Vietnamese given name, Huu (Chinese: you), means ‘friend’ and he will surely bring the friendship of Christ wherever he goes.
Just one year ago, Paul Pham Khanh Linh SJ was ordained deacon in Taipei. This year, along with Paul Huu, he was ordained priest. His parents were present, as were many Vietnamese laypeople and religious. Since he had spent the past year in the USA, a lady from Washington came and sang ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ in Vietnamese, and the sedate organ of the Holy Family was suddenly transformed into the rollicking tones of Vietnamese church music. Fr Linh (Chinese: ling, spirit) is sensitive to the needs of those around him and was always a great help in my class, as he quickly grasped the basics of Chinese philosophy. He expressed his gratitude to all who had helped him, especially Fathers Gino Picca SJ and Joseph Vu Kim Chinh SJ, who both died in the last 12 months.
Of particular note was the presence of Vietnamese Provincial Fr Joseph Pham Tuan Nghia SJ, a scripture scholar. Currently, nine Vietnamese Jesuits serve in the Chinese Province; Fr Nghia (Chinese: yi, justice) promised that he would continue to send more. Also present was Br Hoang SJ, the archivist of the Vietnamese Province, doing research on the Jesuits of the then Far East Province (with headquarters in Taiwan), who refounded the Vietnamese Province in 1957.
As superior of the theologate, Fr Louis Gendron SJ presented the two Pauls to the Archbishop, while Fr Provincial Fr Stephen Tong Chak-Long SJ confirmed their suitability for ordination.
The Mass was celebrated in festive red, a colour that also reminded us of the Chinese martyrs, many of whom came from the former Jesuit mission in Hebei Province. In seeking the intercession of the martyrs, the new priest and deacon offered their lives to the Glory of God and the service of Christ’s Church today.
Written by Edmund Ryden SJ
