Pilgrimages and social activities in the Year of Faith in the Archdiocese of Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - In Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam, Catholics are promoting a number of events to mark the start of the Year of Faith. They include pilgrimages to holy sites, special prayers and other pastoral activities in cooperation with the local Caritas. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Year of Faith with his Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei, released on 11 October 2011. More than 5 million Vietnamese Catholics took part in pastoral activities between 14 and 21 October, a week-long celebration marking the start of the Year of Faith in every parish in the country's 26 dioceses.
Last Thursday, Card Jean-Baptiste Phạm Minh Mẫn led the Eucharistic co-celebration that opened the Year of Faith in Ho Chi Minh City. The prelate was assisted by Mgr Peter Nguyễn Văn Khảm, auxiliary bishop of Saigon, and 200 Vietnamese priests. Thousands of local and overseas Vietnamese Catholics attended the Mass.
Card Phạm Minh Mẫn renewed his call to "return to the roots of Jesus' love," and find the true source of life, love and community service. At the same time, he called to pray and undertake a pilgrimage, on their own or in groups, to the historical and holy sites associated with Catholicism in Vietnam.
On 12 October, the Vietnam Bishops' Council met for the first time in Than Hoa, in the presence of Mgr Leopoldo Girelli, the Holy See's non-permanent representative, opening the Year of Faith with a solemn religious function.
In the homily, the Vatican diplomat said that "true faith does not stop at rituals, but must sink in the inner depth," as exemplified by the Vietnamese Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Christ.
In the meantime, Benedict XVI's pastoral letter was translated into Vietnamese and handed out in the parishes to Vietnamese families.
The Year of Faith was inaugurated on 11 October, 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and will end on 24 November 2013, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
For Vietnam, it will be a time of missionary challenges for a nation marked by decades of state atheism under Communism. The aim of the coming years will be to "reach the 90 per cent of Vietnamese who are not Catholics."
In Ho Chi Minh City, Caritas organised refresher courses for 60 leaders from the city's 211 parishes whose task is to coordinate the work of 701 volunteers in helping the poor, sick and the needy, in fulfilment of the Gospel's calling.
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09/03/2006
