Two new deacons in Vietnam

Jesuit scholastics Dominic Vũ Chí Kiên SJ and Dominic Đỗ Hùng Dinh SJ were ordained as deacons in the chapel of Saint Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 19 March, feast of St Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and patron saint of the Society of Jesus. Rev Cosmas Hoàng Văn Đạt SJ, Bishop of Bac Ninh diocese, presided over the ordination with concelebrants, Fr Vincent Phạm Văn Mầm SJ, Provincial of the Vietnamese Jesuit Province, Fr Andrew Phạm Văn Tú SJ, Socius, Fr Francis Xavier Nguyễn Hai Tính SJ, Formation Delegate, and Fr Phạm Tuấn Nghĩa SJ, Rector of Saint Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate. As a precaution against COVID-19, the Mass took place internally among the members of the scholasticate with a few priests and brothers from Jesuit communities nearby. The simplicity of the celebration served as a reminder of the lifestyle of humility and simplicity of St Joseph. Bishop Cosmas, in his homily, reminded the two candidates of the holiness of St Ignatius Loyola, St Luis Gonzaga, Abraham and, especially, St Joseph. These saints have given us good examples of how men can be humble, kind, faithful and “trusting in God”, he said. They were always available to go anywhere to serve God’s will. In addition, Bishop Cosmas encouraged the two candidates not to be afraid but to remain faithful and stable in the call of the ministry of the Word by proclaiming the Gospel and preaching at Mass. After the homily, Bishop Cosmas installed Dominic Hùng Dinh and Dominic Chí Kiên into the diaconate. Then, the mass proceeded in the usual order. For Jesuits in formation, the ordination to the diaconate usually happens in the fourth year of their theology studies, and is the final step in preparation for their priestly ordination. The Jesuits in Vietnam are deeply grateful to God for the newly ordained deacons. They are grateful to those who, in one way or another, have accompanied and helped the new deacons to reach this stage of their formation. They hope for continued prayers for the newly ordained and all the members of the Society of Jesus.

Sch. Chí Thành, Sj