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How you can help » Training of 18 novices in Vinh Phuoc

Vinh Phuoc lies in the south of Vietnam, in the region of the Mekong Delta. Here too is a contemplative convent, which currently has 18 young novices still undergoing their formation. The first Catholics to settle in the region of Vinh Phuoc came here towards the end of the 17 th century after fleeing persecution in the central and northern regions of the country. They were ministered to by foreign Jesuit priests. It was not until 1965 that the diocese of Xuan Loc was established, however. Today, and since 2004, it is headed by Bishop Dominique Nguyên Chu Trinh, who has some 861.000 Catholics (or around 33.1% of the population) under his care. Most of them are small peasant farmers who work growing rice, fruit and rubber trees. Others earn a living working for foreign companies. The nuns live here in the midst of these simple people. Nor is their convent lacking in new vocations.

"The good Lord continues to bless us with young sisters", writes their prioress and novice mistress, Sister Maria John of the Cross. "However, they do need support for their ongoing formation and their religious life." All of the novices are very young, with an average age, on entry into the convent, of just 23 years. Their studies include such traditional areas as ontology and logic, "so that they can better follow the theology courses

Vinh Phuoc lies in the south of Vietnam, in the region of the Mekong Delta. Here too is a contemplative convent, which currently has 18 young novices still undergoing their formation. The first Catholics to settle in the region of Vinh Phuoc came here towards the end of the 17 th century after fleeing persecution in the central and northern regions of the country. They were ministered to by foreign Jesuit priests. It was not until 1965 that the diocese of Xuan Loc was established, however. Today, and since 2004, it is headed by Bishop Dominique Nguyên Chu Trinh, who has some 861.000 Catholics (or around 33.1% of the population) under his care. Most of them are small peasant farmers who work growing rice, fruit and rubber trees. Others earn a living working for foreign companies. The nuns live here in the midst of these simple people. Nor is their convent lacking in new vocations.

"The good Lord continues to bless us with young sisters", writes their prioress and novice mistress, Sister Maria John of the Cross. "However, they do need support for their ongoing formation and their religious life." All of the novices are very young, with an average age, on entry into the convent, of just 23 years. Their studies include such traditional areas as ontology and logic, "so that they can better follow the theology courses", as the prioress writes. "Our young sisters, who have taken their temporary vows, are growing greatly in their faith and spiritual knowledge", she tells us, and adds, "We will remember the benefactors and all your intentions in our daily prayers before God."

ACN has been supporting these religious sisters, like others in Vietnam, for many years, and most recently gave a donation of €2,700. Our support has been used for induction courses and for an urgently needed computer.

", as the prioress writes. "Our young sisters, who have taken their temporary vows, are growing greatly in their faith and spiritual knowledge", she tells us, and adds, "We will remember the benefactors and all your intentions in our daily prayers before God."

ACN has been supporting these religious sisters, like others in Vietnam, for many years, and most recently gave a donation of €2,700. Our support has been used for induction courses and for an urgently needed computer.