Dominican Family’s Day 2019 in Vietnam

Dominican Family Holds Reunión in Thanh Tam

This year’s Dominican Family Meeting in Vietnam was advanced on July 21, 2019, in the wake of the General Elective Chapter 2019 in Bien Hoa.

The Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena hosted the event at their Thanh Tam Convent ground and facilities. The theme was “One World. One Family, One Mission.”

The Welcome Remarks at 9:00 am expressed Congratulations to the new Master of the Order, V. Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, OP.

There were two parts in the program: the cultural history; and the Dominican evangelization period.

The first part showed Vietnamese Cultures through the Ages: Bamboo represents the resiliency of the Vietnamese people. The drum beats with rainbow-hued banners of dancers. The second part included the arrival of Dominicans and their eventual facing the challenges portrayed by dark-masked individuals.

Dominicans go on mission, with lighted candles to the tune of “You Raise Me Up.” Preaching spread out. The flame of Dominic’s faith had caught thousands and tens of thousands among the Vietnamese populace.

The production of this program was superb.

Imperial periods engulfed the flame of evangelization. Persecution of Christians occupied the highways and the terrains. Non-tolerance of other religions conquered the scenes. There were 118 Vietnamese who were martyred and years thereafter declared Venerables. Of this number, 38 were Dominicans, 6 bishops, 16 Dominican priests, 6 catechists, among others.

Lightnings and thunderstorms portrayed the years of war. The persecution and the blood of martyrs watered the seeds of the Faith.

At 11:00 am, the Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul and concelebrated by the New Master Gerard Timoner and immediate past Master Bruno Cadore.