The parish of Sapa, in the diocese of Hong Hóa, experienced a joyous celebration during the last Christmas holidays, when 28 children received the sacrament of confession and the first Eucharist after attending a catechism course for three years.
January 08, 2022
HUNG HOA, Vietnam: The parish of Sapa, in the diocese of Hong Hóa, experienced a joyous celebration during the last Christmas holidays, when 28 children received the sacrament of confession and the first Eucharist after attending a catechism course for three years.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Peter Pham Thanh Bình, Vicar of Sapa Parish, and concelebrated by the Vice-Pastor, Fr. Paul Truong Dình Vien. Father Peter invited the children’s parents to build the foundations of faith for their children, encouraging them to always live in union with God through the sacrament of the Eucharist.
“This joy must be preserved forever in your lives and in your families,” the priest said during the homily, addressing the children. “To keep this joy forever, you and your families must know how to get rid of anger, jealousy and bad habits. At the same time, we receive the Eucharist to be ready to help and serve the brothers and sisters who live around us.
After the communion prayers, Father Peter blessed and gave new clothes to the children. The green scarf of the “Ngành Au Nhi” (worn by children aged 6 to 10) has been replaced by the darker green one of the “Ngành Thieu Nhi” (adolescents aged 11 to 13). The color of the scarf symbolizes hope and growth. The parish of Sapa was founded in 1902 by the fathers of the Association of Missionaries of Paris (Foreign Missionaries of Paris, Mep) and by Bishop Paul Loc (Paul Ramond). Today, it has more than 2,100 followers, 90% of whom belong to the H’mong ethnic group.–News from Asia
