Vietnamese Catholics pray with the universal Church for the end of the pandemic

The government has announced the easing of epidemic restriction measures. Therefore the offices of the dioceses informed the priests, religious and the faithful about the "normalization of religious activities". In each parish, the priest will celebrate the liturgy and the hour of daily prayer in the church and organize catechism lessons and pilgrimages.

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Last week, May 4, the appeal of Cardinal Miguel Ayuso Guixot, president of the High Committee for Fraternity, was translated into Vietnamese and sent to all the dioceses and parishes of the country.

The invitation who invited "everyone everywhere, all believers of religions around the world, on May 14 to do good deeds, to fast, pray and beg Almighty God to end this pandemic".

The High Committee for Human Fraternity was created on February 4, 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb. It is made up of religious leaders, scholars and exponents of culture from all over the world, Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh, president of the Episcopal Council of Vietnam, has published a letter and informed the Christian community that "even in the past there have been many signs of mature faith such as the appreciation of the Eucharist, the desire to receive the Eucharist, communion with Pope Francis and the whole Church so that God will save humanity early from this pandemic ".

“In addition, many Catholic individuals and associations have participated in emergency assistance programs for those who have suffered and had difficulty living in the epidemic. At the same time, Vietnamese Catholics have been made more aware of the protection of life, the natural environment, society and the spiritual environment."

Meanwhile, on May 5, the Prime Minister's Office published press release 11 / TB-VPCP on the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic. The Government Committee on Religious Affairs has also sent letters to religious leaders on reducing social distancing. Based on these warnings from the government and the governmental committee for religious affairs, the offices of dioceses have informed priests, religious and faithful about the "normalization of religious activities" in Vietnam.

Therefore, from May 9, all 28 dioceses, parishes, religious communities and all religious activities have returned to normal pastoral activities. In each parish, the priest will celebrate the liturgy and the hour of daily prayer in the church and organize catechism lessons and pilgrimages.

Father Ignatius Hồ Văn Xuân, vicar general of the diocese of Saigon, vicar of the Notre Dame cathedral, announced to the whole diocese: "In thanks to God, the Episcopal Office would like to inform priests, religious and nuns of these special good news, Priests, please reorganize pastoral activities and celebrate the community liturgy in parishes, Catholic communities or mission centers from Saturday 9 May. However, we ask the priests, all the faithful, the whole of society, to prevent diseases with measures such as disinfection and cure hygiene in housing areas, increase disinfections in the church area, wear masks etc. "

Peter Nguyen spoke with local Catholic media in Hồ Chí Minh City, “I am a member of the King Jesus choir of Notre Dame Cathedral. This morning, after the Holy Mass online, the Episcopal Office of Ho Chí Minh City announced that from today, 9 May, we will return to the "normal Holy Mass". When I heard this announcement, I felt something very close to me. I am also very happy because I will be present at daily Mass. Yet before [the pandemic] I did not pay attention to this "problem".

“Today - said Joseph, an elderly man - we are going to Notre Dame to attend live Mass. After 42 days (6 weeks) in which we only attended online Mass, we rejoice and thank God for meeting the community today. We meet God again in this Easter season. We receive the sacrament of holiness. Although in the last 6 weeks we have not been present at a Mass and we have not received the Eucharist, we have listened to the Word of God. Like other parishioners, we waited to go to church to pray. Today we go to church to participate in the Mass in person. We have received the grace of the Holy Spirit strongly and deeply in our soul. We received the grace of God and brought the Good News home."