Brotherhood in Vietnam
It is hard to believe it has been twenty years ago that we had an International Symposium on C.PP.S. Brothers at Maria Stein. As I reminisce about that joyous occasion, I recall some of the powerful words of one of our main speakers, Br. Bernie Spitzley, SVD. I remember him saying, “I applaud your decision to have this symposium to affirm the vocation of Precious Blood brotherhood, to identify experiences, and to create a greater worldwide awareness of Precious Blood brotherhood and celebrate the global bond of charity.” That meant a lot to me coming from a brother of the Society of the Divine Word known for worldwide awareness and global witness.
This past memory of twenty years ago entered my mind while in Vietnam visiting our missionaries there over Christmas. I wondered how much we made progress in creating a greater worldwide awareness of Precious Blood brotherhood in Vietnam. In my wonderment, I remembered the beginnings of the Vietnam Mission and the leadership of Fr. Lac Pham. I recalled Fr. Lac being a strong advocate for brothers and their future ministry in the Vietnam Mission. I am so grateful now for Fr. Lac having such enthusiasm early on for the potential of the brother’s vocation in Vietnam. That meant so much to me when I came there to be mission director to provide a witness to brotherhood.
Upon returning to Vietnam after six years being away, this recent trip sparked such memories and spurred me on searching for some proof of progress. I felt I really found it in the brother and brother candidates currently ministering in the Vietnam Mission. Seeing one be a trained nurse, another being a trained physical therapist, and still another being an English teacher made me feel proud to be a brother in this congregation. What a nice diversity of ministries among a select few. All these ministries contribute well to the success of the current efforts of the Vietnam Mission to be involved in healing ministry.
The highlight of my trip this time to Vietnam was going to the charity house for elderly men started by Fr. Nhan Bui and watch Br. Diep Vu in action as a nurse. It made me think of another thing Br. Bernie Spitzley said, “Bring God’s presence as brothers to whatever activity, responsibility, or ministry we happen to be involved in with the people. This oneness of focus and purpose flows from our title, ‘brother,’ which calls us to be in relationship with others much like Jesus, our brother.” I definitely saw this being carried out in the ministry of Br. Diep. I hope and pray more men come forward in the future to answer the call to be a brother in our congregation.