Baptism on the feast day of the Holy Trinity brings happiness to 31 catechumens
For Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of Ho Chi Minh City, “After a long journey, you receive the baptism. It is not you who sought God, it is God who has sought you for a long time”.
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – In the history of Catholicism in Vietnam, the family has played an important role in bringing the Good News to others, and the purpose of the Catholic marriage is to live in a loving family. For this reason, family members must show the joy of being Catholic, and show God to others, this according to Archbishop Joseph (Giuse) Nguyễn Năng (pictured).
Yesterday, feast day of the Holy Trinity, the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City bestowed the sacrament of baptism onto 31 brothers and sisters in Notre Dame cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City, in a Mass led by Archbishop Nguyễn Năng.
During the ceremony, four priests and about 200 worshippers, including the relatives of the new catechumens, participated in the feast of the sacrifice.
In his homily, the Archbishop told the catechumens that "Today is the feast of the Holy Trinity. This is the apex of Catholicism. In Vietnam we often hear that ‘Every religion teaches us to do the right things and live a peaceful life’ (Đạo nào cũng dậy ăn ngay ở lành). Catholicism does the same.”
“Catholicism does not only teach us to do the right thing, but also teaches us about the Holy Trinity. Not only do we maintain a good religion or care for our religion to go to Heaven, but it is important that we enter religion in order to join the Catholic community and the Holy Trinity family,” the Archbishop explained.
“For four months, you studied the catechism, learning about Catholicism, participating in the Christian community. Today, we are very happy to welcome you into the family of the Church. In this family we have cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and parishioners.”
“As of today,” he said, “you are united with the Great family of the Church. This family is the image of the Holy Trinity. We are in this family to build a new world, a world of love.”
“After a long journey, you receive the baptism. It is not you who sought God, it is God who has sought you for a long time; taking advantage perhaps of some opportunity, like you watching a movie, reading a book or meeting a priest. Or perhaps you had Catholic teacher or you married a Catholic.”
"Thanks to such opportunities, you decided to join the family of the Church and live in love. We rejoice for you, because the Lord has invited you.”
At the end of the Mass, a representative of the 31 new catechumens said: “In the past, priests and nuns of the cathedral accompanied us and shared teaching with us. Thanks to the Church’s catechism and the charitable works of priests and nuns, we recognise that God is love. He always loves us and so we believe and follow him.
“We thank Archbishop Joseph, priests, men and women religious, godparents and lay people who prayed silently for us on this blessed day. "
In today's reality, many Catholic families can see non-Catholics who have come to Catholicism. For this reason, it is the religion of love.
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26/02/2024 15:12
