The presence of the SCJ Congregation in Vietnam dates back to 2004, when the first missionaries arrived to proclaim the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through years of challenges and blessings, they gradually built up what began as a small community into a vibrant District of five communities, steadfast in faith, fervent in charity, and filled with hope for the future under God’s providence and the protection of the Founder, the Venerable Leo John Dehon.
On November 26th and 27th, 2025, the Vietnam District marked a significant milestone in its history through two major events. Indeed, during the Dehonian Memorial celebration on November 26th, Fr. Vincente Nguyễn Văn Định, SCJ, was officially appointed as the District’s first Vietnamese Novice Master. This event, both memorial and celebratory, was followed the next day by the diaconate ordination of five young Dehonians at the Phú Cường Diocese Cathedral.
November 26th Celebration: Dehonian Memorial and Appointments
On November 26, 2025, during the feast honoring the Dehonian martyrs, Fr. Vincente Nguyễn Văn Định, SCJ, received his official appointment as the first Vietnamese Novice Master of the District. The solemn Mass, presided over by Fr. Vincent Nguyễn Văn Bạt, was preceded by Eucharistic Adoration, where every religious was invited to recall the courage of their predecessors and renew their fidelity to the Dehonian charism.
In his homily, Fr. Dominic Nguyễn Hữu Lộc reflected on the different forms of martyrdom: Red martyrdom (shedding of blood) and White martyrdom (the daily offering of sacrifices and acts of reparation). He called upon the community to follow these virtues so that every Dehonian might become a prophet of love and a servant of reconciliation. This celebration, which also included the announcement of Fr. Dominic Nguyễn Văn Lương, SCJ, as the new District Treasurer, clearly highlighted the institutional growth and maturity of the Vietnamese District.
November 27th Celebration: Diaconate Ordination
The following day, November 27, 2025, the joy continued with the celebration of the diaconate ordination of five SCJ religious. The ceremony took place in an atmosphere of deep devotion and solemn reverence at the Cathedral of the Phú Cường Diocese, and was presided over by Most Rev. Joseph Nguyễn Tấn Tước, Bishop of the Diocese.
A ordenação reuniu uma ampla comunidade de sacerdotes, de religiosos(as), de benfeitores e de famílias, manifestando grande apoio. Contou também com a presença do Secretário-Geral, P. Angelo José Adão, SCJ, que conduziu o retiro espiritual dos novos diáconos. Em sua homilia, o Bispo Joseph enfatizou o chamado a uma vida de humilde serviço e caridade, missão própria do diácono, convidando os recém-ordenados a se tornarem sinais vivos do amor de Deus no coração da Igreja. A Congregação expressou sua profunda gratidão por estes “novos frutos” recebidos para a vinha do Senhor e solicitou humildemente as orações dos fiéis pelos diáconos, pela missão e pela perseverança das vocações no Distrito.
