HUE (Fides) “You yourselves will become the connectors of unity, faith, and hope in the ministry of the proclamation of the Word of God, as well as manifest the values of the vocation in the lives of the clergy today,” Archbishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan of Hue, central Vietnam, told 21 candidates for the diaconate during their ordination Mass, on the Feast of the Mother of God, January 1, at Phu Cam Cathedral.
Archbishop Dang exhorted the ordinands: “When you are motivated by sincere love for Christ and lead a life of perfect piety in this state, you will be more easily bonded to Christ with an undivided heart; you will be free to serve God and humanity; and you will be more inclined to help people be reborn, be rooted, and be built up in the faith. Do not lose faith in the gospel, for you are not merely listeners, but ministers of the gospel, and you have to maintain the mystery of the faith in an upright conscience.”
He reminded the new deacons that their ministry calls for unwavering dedication, urging them to be steadfast in both word and deed, so they may inspire and guide others along the path of faith.
On the same day, Bishop Peter Huynh Van Hai of the Diocese of Vinh Long ordained 12 seminarians as deacons at Vinh Long Cathedral in the far south of Vietnam. During the Mass, Bishop Peter called upon the faithful to pray for peace in a world still marked by war, suffering, and death.
When you are motivated by sincere love for Christ and lead a life of perfect piety in this state, you will be more easily bonded to Christ with an undivided heart; you will be free to serve God and humanity
Archbishop Dang
Addressing the ordinands, he prayed that God would bless them abundantly, granting them the grace to remain faithful and to persevere in their vocation as they follow the Lord.
Also in southern Vietnam, an ordination Mass was celebrated for 20 seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary took place at Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, on the morning of January 8.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Bui Cong Trac of the Archdiocese of Saigon, who presided over the Mass, emphasised: “The diaconate that these seminarians are about to receive is very noble, not only a blessing for themselves and their families, but also a blessing for the Church. The ordination is not a destination or a stopping point, but a continuous journey forward.”
He continued: “To bring salvation to others, do not forget the grace you have received through the laying on of hands by the bishop; you must diligently study and teach catechism. You have to set a good example for the Catholic faithful in your words, your behaviour, as well as your charity, your faith, and your purity.”
On the same morning in Vietnam’s most populous city, Bishop John Baptist Nguyen Huy Bac of the Diocese of Ban Me Thuot ordained eight deacons and nine priests from the Society of the Divine Word at Phu Trung Church .
The theme for the 2026 Pastoral Year of the Church in Vietnam, “Every Christian is a missionary disciple,” invites all believers to embrace their identity and mission.
The Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference encourages Christians to share the gospel in their homeland through prayer, study of the Word of God, and authentic witness in daily life.
