On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the Provincial Custody of St. Francis Anthony Fasany rejoiced to have two new priests. The Most Reverend Dominic Cau Van Dang, Bishop of Thai Binh Diocese, presided over the mass and ordained Friar Joseph Vuong Van Le and Paul My Van Truong, along with 8 seminarian Deacons from the Diocese and other religious congregations to the priesthood. The Priestly Ordination Mass took place at the Cathedral of Thai Binh Diocese. Concelebrating the Mass were Father Joseph Long Van Tran, Provincial Custos, 11 priests of the Custody and many other priests.
In his homily, the Bishop said: “The most important thing in the life and mission of a priest is closeness to Jesus like a branch to a vine. Without that closeness, the priest will blur the identity of the true shepherd and fail to bear the fruit God wants. Therefore, priests must not only be close to Jesus in prayer and sacramental celebrations, but must also meet Him in all their activities and relations. Thanks to that, priests become faithful servants who distribute God’s grace to others.“
Thai Binh Diocese is located in the North of Vietnam, where the Friary of Saint Andrew Dung Lac and His Companion Martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual has been present since 2006. The friary is located in a leprosy camp where friars are taking care for more than 100 lepers, 15 mentally disabled children, providing clean water for lepers and the poor, and ministering a parish. Because the hometowns of the two new priests are in Vinh Diocese, near Thai Binh Diocese, the Provincial Custos and His Definitory decided to send them there to be ordained, so that their families and relatives can come for the celebrations more conveniently.
After the Ordination Ceremony, the two new priests will return to their hometown to celebrate Thanksgiving Masses, on December 4 for friar Joseph Vuong and Deceber 5 for Paul My. Accompanying the new priests will be the Provincial Custos, friars in the Order and relatives of the two new priests.
