Confession and communion for 28 children in Sapa
During the Christmas holidays, a group of youth in the Diocese of Hưng Hóa completed the first cycle of Christian training. For Fr Peter Phạm Thanh Bình, “we diligently receive the sacrament of the Eucharist to be ready to help and serve the brothers and sisters who live around us.”
Hưng Hóa (AsiaNews) – In Sapa, a parish in the Diocese of Hưng Hóa, 28 children received the sacraments of confession and first Eucharist during the Christmas holidays after attending a catechism course that lasted three years.
Fr Peter Phạm Thanh Bình, vicar of Sapa parish, led the Mass in their honour; vice parish priest Fr Paul Trương Đình Viện concelebrated the service.
Fr Peter invited 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 kept forever in your lives and your families," the parish priest said during his 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,” he added.
“At the same time, we diligently receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist to be ready to help and serve the brothers and sisters who live around us.”
After the communion prayers, Fr Peter blessed the children and gave them new clothing.
The green scarf of the Ngành Ấu Nhi (worn by children aged 6 to 10) was replaced by the darker green one of the Ngành Thiếu Nhi (teens aged 11 to 13). The colour of the scarf symbolises hope and vitality.
Sapa parish was founded in 1902 by the Missions Étrangères de Paris (MEP[*]) and by the then Bishop Paul Lộc (Paul-Marie Ramond).
Today it has more than 2,100 members, 90 per cent of them ethnic H'mong. About 30 young people and adults are baptised in the parish each year.
[*] Foreign Missions of Paris.
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15/10/2008
14/04/2024 13:43
