The Feast Day of St. Maria De Mattias was celebrated at Xavier Mission House in Saigon, Vietnam on February 4th. It was a Day of Recollection at the house for the candidates in formation. Fr. Nhan Bui, C.PP.S. led the time of reflection on the theme, “New Beginnings.” We prayed through the intercession of St. Maria De Mattias throughout the day beginning with the celebration of Eucharist in the morning and ending with evening prayer. I especially prayed for a blessed time for the candidates in formation and that Fr. Nhan would be inspired by St. Mary, Woman of the New Covenant, as he talked about new beginnings. God knows that St. Maria De Mattias was inspired by Mary. The Vietnamese certainly have a strong devotion to Mary given evidence by the many shrines dedicated to her throughout the country.

Sojourners of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Vietnam

The women in formation to become Sojourners of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.


We also kept in prayer the women in Vietnam in training to be lay associates to the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Sr. Hang Pham, ASC has been leading them through the discernment process to become Sojourners. These five women are welcomed to use our mission houses to have their monthly meetings. They are Hanh Nguyen, Theu Bui, Ngoc Pham, Lan Nguyen and Trang Luu. Sojourners are a small group of laypersons who feel very strongly committed to the charism of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ and their foundress, St. Maria De Mattias. They strive to live three promises: dedication to a simple lifestyle, radical love of God and others, and undertaking what God has asked them to be and do. Please keep these women in prayer as well as anyone else in Vietnam aspiring to become lay associates to our Congregations.