The opening Mass for the Blessed Retreat Week – A distinctive Mission of the Redemptorist Fathers was held on 2 April 2022, 7pm atTan Mai Parish of Xuan Loc Diocese. Almost a year of waiting due to COVID-19.
Prior to their mission, the Redemptorists were ritually commissioned by their Provincial, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Bich, exhorting them to guide all others to the richness of God’s saving grace in Christ.
With the parish community we had at this Mass the presence of Father Vinh-son Nguyen Van Cuong, Dean & Parish Priest of Tan Mai, the Assistance priest, 25 other priests and a Redemptorist Brother.
The blessed Retreat Week’s program included:The Fathers on mission paid a visit to individual families with the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to bless theses family members, listening and sharing their experience of Christian living.
At midday the community gathered in the church for Adoration, of the Blessed Sacrament to be enlivened by the gift of Christ & to pray for those lapsed Catholics to return to God.
Particularly, at 12pm on Wednesday there was a prayer service of blessing through intercession of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
On Thursday midday there was a prayer service to commemorate and pray for the faithful departed.
In the evening at 6pm, was the prayer session in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help; followed by a talk on certain importance topics of Christian living:
– The significance of Sunday-The Lord’s Day
– Communal celebration of The Sacrament of Penance
– Habit of Slandering & Gossiping
– Living justly & rightly
– The importance of prayer in Family life
Finally, it was concelebrated Mass with great homilies: it is a blessing to receive Jesus, his love for us and our response to him. Heavenly Father is merciful and effective. Devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary, trust in her loving care and support, that Tan Mai Parish Community might have faith, hope and love in God.
After Mass, Fathers met mothers, family men, and prayed the Stations of the Cross.
During the week of the blessed Retreat Week, the Redemptorists heard confession and gave guidance to the penitents, and helped them reconcile with God, and received His grace.
The closing Mass of the blessed Retreat Week with a Plenary Indulgence took place at 6 p.m. April 8, 2022. At the end of Mass, the blessing of the cross strengthens faith, hope and charity for the parish.
For the rest of my life, I give thanks to God.
Fr. John B. Van Anh, C.Ss.R.
