Pilgrims of Hope Walking in Charity: 56th Provincial Assembly in Vietnam

Dong Nai, Vietnam, April  28 – May 2, 2025,

The recent Provincial Assembly held in Vietnam was a moment of profound reflection and renewal for our Province. With the theme “Pilgrims of Hope Walking in Charity,” the gathering became a sacred pause—a time to listen, to discern, and to journey together more deeply into our shared missionary vocation.

Confreres from every corner of the Province came bearing stories from the front lines: joys and sorrows, growth and struggle, fidelity and fatigue. Yet what united us was the same fire—to be hope-filled priests walking in the charity of Christ.

Throughout the assembly, we were invited to rediscover the core of our calling: to be men of communion, witnesses of hope, and instruments of God’s mercy. Our priesthood, we realized once more, is not about prestige or power, but presence—being present where Christ would be: among the poor, the migrant, the weary, and the seeking.

Key takeaways for us priests were clear:

– To rekindle our spiritual depth through prayer, fraternity, and Eucharistic life.

– To be shepherds who listen, especially to the cries of the marginalized.

– To strengthen community life as a prophetic witness in a fragmented world.

– To walk with the laity, not ahead of them, building synodal relationships rooted in trust.

Yet the road ahead is not without challenge. We face increasing secularism, pastoral fatigue, generational gaps, and the temptation to retreat into comfort zones. The call is clear: we must be priests who are not afraid to walk with the wounded, to serve without counting the cost, and to preach the Gospel not only in words, but with lives poured out in love.

As the assembly closed, a quiet resolve settled in our hearts. We are not alone. We are pilgrims—of hope, yes—but also of courage. And together, walking in charity, we press on.

Fr. Dexter Ignacio, CS