On the morning of 3 December, on the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier—patron saint of the missions—Most Rev Joseph Nguyễn Năng, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saigon, presided over the Mass of Priestly Ordination for 13 Jesuit deacons at Hiển Linh Parish, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam.
The thirteen newly ordained priests are Fr Peter Pham Anh Dung SJ, Fr Anthony Phan Thanh Dong SJ, Fr Peter Nguyen Van Duong SJ, Fr Joseph Mary Do Manh Hung SJ, Fr Peter Vu Trung Hung SJ, Fr Joseph Dang Van Long SJ, Fr John Le Anh Nghi SJ, Fr Joseph Tran Van Phap SJ, Fr Dominic Nguyen Van Tan SJ, Francis Xavier Doan Cong Trinh SJ, Fr Peter Phan Bao Trung SJ, Fr Joseph Nguyen Van Vien SJ, and Fr Vincent Nguyen Hoang Vu SJ. In his homily, Archbishop Joseph strongly emphasised the missionary identity of the Church and the priestly vocation amid our contemporary world. He recalled the urgent invitation of Pope Francis: the Church cannot remain preoccupied with internal matters or merely preserve familiar rituals; rather, she must “go forth”, go towards humanity, especially towards those on the peripheries of life, to bring them the Good News of Christ.
According to the Archbishop, proclaiming the Gospel is not a privilege reserved for a select few, but the universal calling of every baptised Christian. Each person is invited to become a “missionary disciple”, one who lives the Gospel in daily life and makes Christ known through the witness of one’s actions. The command of Jesus, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), remains a timeless summons for the Church today.
The Archbishop also invited the faithful to enter a journey of interior conversion, to “tune the soul”, reducing the noise of prejudice, anxiety, self-sufficiency, or fear, so as to hear the voice of God calling each one to step beyond oneself. Only when the heart becomes still can the disciple hear the Lord clearly and allow Him to guide the path.
He stressed that a missionary disciple is one who dares to “remain with the Lord,” (John 15:9) allowing His Word to shape one’s life, His Spirit to transform the heart, and His love to form one into a trustworthy instrument. A life lacking prayer or spiritual depth renders preaching empty, but a heart enkindled by the Holy Spirit becomes a light that draws others closer to God.
Indeed, to be sent forth today does not only mean travelling to distant lands but also bringing the Gospel to the family through gentleness, to the community through service, to society through integrity, and to the digital environment with respect and constructive engagement. In a world overwhelmed by information, the silent yet persevering witness of life becomes a missionary force stronger than any eloquent discourse.
Archbishop Joseph entrusted the 13 newly ordained priests to the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Saint Francis Xavier, praying that God might kindle within them an apostolic zeal that never fades. Through every ministry, every prayer, and every pastoral concern, may they always carry within their hearts the burning desire of the Apostle to the Gentiles: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1Cor 9:16).
By Francis Xavier Doan Cong Trinh, S.J.
