The Annual Assembly of the Vietnam District, held from July 29 to August 1, 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, focused on community life and spiritual renewal in fidelity to the Dehonian charism.
From July 29 to August 1, the Vietnam District held its annual assembly at the Sacred Heart Community in Ho Chi Minh City, with a central focus on community life. Unlike previous years, this gathering featured a seminar and workshop led by an experienced Redemptorist priest, whose insights sparked deep reflection and meaningful dialogue. Many participants described the event as one of the most enriching and impactful assemblies in recent memory. The assembly opened with a spiritual gathering and adoration, setting a tone of fraternity and openness that carried through the entire event. Early sessions invited members to reflect on the joys and challenges of living in community. While gratitude for shared life was widely expressed, some also voiced feelings of isolation or difficulty finding acceptance within their communities. The honest sharing created space for mutual understanding and renewed solidarity.
Workshop
A particular highlight was the full-day workshop conducted in Vietnamese. Its theological depth and practical wisdom deeply resonated with participants, offering a solid foundation for the discussions that followed. The workshop’s momentum flowed into the reporting sessions, where communities and district commissions presented their realities—sharing achievements, naming difficulties, and outlining hopes for the future. These exchanges sparked dynamic engagement and underscored a collective desire for growth and renewal.
Topics
Several key themes emerged during the Vietnam District Assembly, reflecting the collective discernment of its members and pointing toward concrete directions for growth and renewal. Community Life was affirmed as the heart of religious vocation. A strong call was made for each community to develop a Community Plan of Life (CPL)—not as a mechanism of control, but as a roadmap shaped by shared discernment. The CPL offers guidance to help communities remain faithful to their mission and identity.
Ongoing Formation was emphasized as a lifelong journey that continues beyond final vows or ordination. Communities were encouraged to foster a culture of daily renewal through prayer, study, reflection, spiritual accompaniment, and sincere fraternal dialogue. Formation was presented not merely as an individual pursuit but as a communal responsibility.
Discussions
The discussions also reasserted the importance of Dehonian identity. The charism of the congregation must infuse every aspect of life—not only specific ministries or formal settings. Members were urged to return regularly to the Rule of Life as a living document that nurtures spiritual growth and aligns daily practice with the congregation’s mission. In reflecting on the relationship with the local Church, members involved in parish ministry were reminded to remain grounded in their identity as religious. Effective communication between the community, district leadership, and diocesan authorities is essential—especially in the development of Lay Dehonian and Dehonian Youth initiatives, which must remain both pastorally relevant and spiritually rooted.
Though not directly addressed in formal sessions, the need for safeguarding emerged as a critical concern. Creating a culture of protection was recognized as both a moral and spiritual imperative. Members were encouraged to uphold the dignity and safety of all, particularly the most vulnerable, by integrating safeguarding principles into every level of formation and ministry.
Missionary availability was another theme revisited with renewed urgency. Members were invited to cultivate a spirit of openness—to be ready to serve wherever the needs of the Church and the congregation are greatest. This availability requires more than physical mobility; it demands an inner readiness to cross personal, cultural, and ministerial boundaries for the sake of the Gospel.
Finally, the assembly reaffirmed the value of sint unum, or being of one heart—particularly in relation to financial transparency. There was a strong call to build systems of accountable stewardship that reflect the communal nature of religious life. Fundraising efforts must be transparent and collectively owned, not led by individuals. The new district administration was encouraged to develop a clear work plan and review the necessary structures to support this goal.
This year’s assembly was more than a series of meetings—it was a moment of grace and renewal. It strengthened communal bonds, clarified shared priorities, and inspired a deeper commitment to living out the Dehonian charism with faithfulness and creativity in the changing contexts of today’s world.
