A group of people with AIDS are participating in activities of the parish of Vuon Xoai, of the archdiocese of ex Saigon. "We come even if we are not Catholics, because we are not discriminated against here."
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) A group of 20 youth who have AIDS, including non-Catholics, are celebrating Holy Week together with believers of the parish of Vuon Xoai, of the archdiocese of former Saigon. The people, aged between 20 and 24 years, say they want to join in the services because "there is no discrimination": they read the Bible, share their experiences, and talk about their failures and their pains. In the passion of Jesus, they discover forgiveness and mercy.
After reading a passage from the New Testament, one of them shared: "I have sinned before God, but he has forgiven me many times. I love life; I am in the terminal stage of the disease and I know that Jesus loves me and will continue to do so." Another added: "I have just got to know Christ, but I believe He loves me. Before I was a criminal, but now I want to build a new life for myself and for my family."
Sitting around a table, they heard each other's confessions, differing in personal situations and life experiences, but united in faith. Two Buddhist youth participated in the parish activities, and during the meeting, they wanted to know what the Holy Week and the Holy Cross were. A young man told them the story of Simon the Cyrene, who helped Christ on Calvary and one exclaimed: "I can understand this story. Here I feel that I love Jesus and his Church because there is no discrimination of any kind, I feel accepted and loved."
Another youth, an animist, told AsiaNews: "I don't know about the Holy Week and the importance Catholics attach to these mysteries, but I believe that Jesus loves me too. I have lived with AIDS and in the shadow of sin for 12 years. Now I am sure that Jesus and the Father will forgive me and so I have decided to live well for the rest of my life."