The ordination ceremony of the auxiliary bishop of Vinh Diocese took place in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere.

(Baonghean.vn) -This morning (September 4), tens of thousands of parishioners of parishes and religions belonging to the Vinh Diocese joyfully went to the Xa Doai Bishop's Palace to attend the ordination Mass of the Vinh Diocese's Auxiliary Bishop for Priest General Peter Nguyen Van Vien. That joy was multiplied when, on this occasion, the local Party Committee and government paid attention to urgently completing the construction of a spacious and clean road connecting National Highway 1A to the center of the Bishop's Palace to create favorable conditions for people to attend the ceremony.

The Mass did not begin until 7am, but as dawn broke, the roads leading to the Bishop's Palace were bustling with the sounds of vehicles and people happy to be able to attend. Thousands of people flocked to Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district, but all activities took place in an orderly manner, without any vehicle collisions or traffic accidents. To prepare for the solemn and thoughtful Mass, a main stage in the middle of the Bishop's Palace yard was erected the previous days, the roads leading to the Bishop's Palace were beautifully decorated, the scene was bustling, filled with joyful laughter; everywhere were decorated with flags, flowers, and banners congratulating the important day; plus today, the cool autumn weather of September, the ceremony promised to take place in a joyful, exciting atmosphere but also solemn and respectful with the participation of representatives of local authorities and representatives of dioceses across the country.

Early in the morning, the music of the Mass resounded, and the faces of the Bishops, priests, parishioners and invited guests were filled with joy at the great grace and joy that God and the Holy See had bestowed upon the Vinh Diocese - a place that brings together 20 deaneries, 190 parishes and 525,300 parishioners. The representative of the Bishop's Office sent each person prepared documents about the Mass as well as the biography of the new Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien.

Priest Peter Nguyen Van Vien was born on January 8, 1965 in Huong Phuong Commune, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province. In 1984, after completing his military service, Peter Nguyen Van Vien studied for a bachelor's degree in economics at Hue University; in 1993, he joined Vinh Thanh Seminary and was ordained a priest on October 3, 1999, belonging to Vinh Diocese. Afterwards, Priest Peter Nguyen Van Vien attended courses at the Catholic Academy in Sydney, Australia, from 2000 to 2009, earning a Doctorate in Theology. Returning to Vietnam in 2009, he worked as Vice Director and Professor of Doctrine at Vinh Thanh Seminary. Since 2010, he has been Vicar General of Vinh Diocese and on June 15, 2013, he was appointed by Pope Francis as Auxiliary Bishop of Vinh Diocese.

The ceremony began with the presence of bishops and priests.

The episcopal ordination mass was attended by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, non-resident representative of the Vatican; Bishop Phaolo Nguyen Thai Hop, Bishop of Vinh Diocese, presided over the mass and was the main bishop. Concelebrating the ordination mass were many priests attending the mass. It is estimated that there were over 10,000 people in attendance. Before the ceremony began, the grounds of the Cathedral and Xa Doai Bishop's House were bustling and bustling, completely different from the usual quietness, but when the ceremony began, the crowd was completely silent. At the beginning of the ceremony, Bishop Phaolo Nguyen Thai Hop sent his greetings to all those who attended. In particular, he expressed his joy at welcoming Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, non-resident representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.

Bishop Phaolo Nguyen Thai Hop - Bishop of Vinh Diocese presided over the mass and was the ordaining bishop.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Vinh Diocese happily announced the Mass, the whole community clapped their hands to express their joy and gratitude. The entrance procession began with the drum team, the band played the marching song, the choir sang the songs "Sowing Steps" and "Praise His Name" to bring the liturgical community into the sacred atmosphere of the Mass. After the opening rites, the concelebrants took their seats, the community listened to the congratulatory letter from the Holy See. Next, the Mass entered the Liturgy of the Word, with readings from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Next, the Ordination ceremony begins: the preparation ceremony, the main ceremony and the interpretation ceremony. The preparation includes the introduction of the candidate, the ordaining bishop's homily, the promise of the candidate, and the prayer to the saints. The main ceremony begins with the ordaining bishop and the bishops present laying their hands on the head of the candidate, followed by the ordination prayer. The interpretation ceremony includes the anointing of the head with holy oil, the presentation of the Gospel book, the presentation of the ring, the wearing of the miter and the presentation of the pastor's staff. The Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, including the presentation of the gifts, the prayer over the offerings, the preface prayer, the communion prayer, and the blessing of the new bishop's handprint. The ordination ceremony takes place solemnly and sacredly. Bishop Phaolo Nguyen Thai Hop, the ordaining bishop of Vinh Diocese, used the words of the Church to exhort the community of God's people to welcome the new bishop with gratitude, joy and respect.

New Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien (left)

The emblem chosen by the new Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien is a boat swaying on the waves and a dove holding an olive branch. This symbol evokes the image of Noah's family's boat and the dove holding an olive branch signaling the end of the flood in the Book of Genesis. The image of the boat is the image of each person's life in the midst of the stormy sea of ​​life, the dove holding an olive branch signals the dawn of a new day, full of vitality and a bright future. On the emblem is the motto "My peace I give to you" chosen from the saying of Jesus Christ to his disciples.

After the congratulations of the bishops, priests and the parishioners of Vinh Diocese, the new auxiliary bishop responded with determination to help the members of the People of God in Vinh Diocese to further promote the spirit of unity with each other; to help the members of the People of God in Vinh Diocese to be more aware of proclaiming the Gospel in their living environment; to help the members of the People of God in Vinh Diocese to both live in communion with brothers and sisters of the same faith and to live in harmony with brothers and sisters of different faiths; to help the members of the People of God in Vinh Diocese to be more aware of their role as "witnesses" to make society better and better.

View of the coronation ceremony



Festival ends Mass

The solemn ordination mass of the auxiliary bishop of Vinh diocese ended successfully in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere with the blessing of the presiding bishop and the joyful thanksgiving of the entire community in the song “Prayer for Peace”. “That is also the sentiment that the Vinh diocese community carries with them as provisions in their life of faith in their living environment. The parishioners all hope that the new bishop will be a gentle, humble, holy person, enthusiastic in shepherding so that the diocese will enjoy many benefits thanks to his zeal and dedication…

At the end of the Mass, everyone from the Bishops to the community of God's people attending the Mass enjoyed a light meal together with a box of cakes, either to eat on the spot or to take home, simple, compact, sincere and affectionate./.

PV Group