Vietnamese joy as Pope prepares to remember Card. Van Thuan
Hanoi (AsiaNews) - Vietnamese Catholics have warmly greeted news that Benedict XVI will personally recall the great figure of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, on 22 October.
The cardinal spent 13 years in the communist regime prisons from 1975 to 1988, without ever been put on trial. In 1991 he was forced to abandon his country and was welcomed by Pope John Paul II into the Roman Curia. In 1988 he was appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. On February 21, 2001 he was made a cardinal.
When he emerged from prison, some of his companions asked him what his secret strength was that enabled him to survive. "What gave me strength - he answered - was the Eucharist."
Vietnamese Catholics have a deep affection and admiration for him. He is seen as an example of holiness for all. He is well known to lay parishioners, Catholics and non Catholics, the elderly and children, the sick and imprisoned, rich and poor. Everyone is convinced that he had great faith, he believed in God and to God he has entrusted his soul.
It was faith that sustained him during the long years during which he had to celebrate Mass in secret, with three drops of wine and water in the palm of the hand, the Host brought to him in secret by his flock. In the evening, the prisoners took it in turns to keep vigil in adoration of the Eucharist, Jesus helped him greatly with hissilent presence. In those days, many Christians found the fervour of faith, Buddhists and non Christians converted. His spiritual thoughts, written on the back of old calendars were distributed all over the world and have inspired millions of people.
He is an example for us all. The strength of his love for Jesus is fascinating. The darkness of the prison became light, the grain has germinated during the storm.
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