“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mk 12,33)

Yes! “Remain in my love!” (John 15, 9). That was a main theme of the young congress from dioceses in the North of Viet Nam on October 25^th-26^th, 2012 in Lang Son – the mountainous region with many terrains. We- the youth of Thanh Hoa diocese – were welcomed by sincere sentiment and open aims of Lang Son diocese. Up to this time, we have never forgotten friendly people and nice memories in 2012 youth congress.

“Remain in my love!” (John 15, 9)

The beauty of mountainous region

Started from Duc Tam parish at 4 am, the long-distance buses passed more than 350 km to lead the young of Thanh Hoa diocese to Lang Son diocese. No matter how long the way is, young people were eager and happy to discover a new diocese with grandiose beauty. Not only did we not feel carsick or tired, we always opened our naked eyes wide because of the very straight ways, imposing mountains. The way estimated very far; however, it was limited by beauty of mountain and forest. Especially, the high and long hill thousands of kilometers with the serried custard-apple trees left deep impression in my mind. It made the way become more wide and absorbed. Lang Son highland appeared in white cloud and dense fog.

Started from Duc Tam parish at 4 am

On the geographic map, Lang Son is marked as an important area of Viet Nam. Situated in the north pole of country, this is the border between China and Viet Nam contained many different and special cultures and customs. Without doubt, no visitor to Lang Son should go home without spending some time in Tan Thanh Border Gate. It often takes place commercial transaction with import and export articles at home and abroad. Apart from that, it was well known in Vietnamese folk-song and proverb with famous place-names such as Dong Dang, Ky Lua, Tam Thanh. What is more, we also went to Mau Son Mountain to enjoy clean air and see the sky. From top of the mountain, we saw grandiose mountain chains and small houses of ethnic minority people. We saw works that God was created for human being. How enormous and wonderful it is! What a great God’s love! That seemed as a nice and admirable scenery picture.

The nice pictures of the congress

The street overshadowed by the flags of congress full of colors. Six thousands of young people from 10 dioceses gathered in Lang Son in appointment of traditional day- the youth congress. They came from other countryside; however, all showed love and friendliness and felt warm in love of God.

At 10 am, we- youth of Thanh Hoa diocese- set foot on Lang Son soil in dry and sunny of Autumn. Our green uniform overshadowed front of the gate of Chinh Toa church. The green showed youthful and eventful of developing diocese with historical events. It was solidarity and warm of young people. The green of life and hope was a message that we wanted to share with other young in congress. Logo on the uniform introduced short about Thanh Hoa- a young diocese- with a slogan: “expressing gratitude to the past- making the present prosperous- coming to the future,” and concerned figures. It is my view that the youth of Thanh Hoa is face and an important part to introduce and enlarge overall picture of diocese.

At 10 am, we- youth of Thanh Hoa diocese- set foot on Lang Son soil in dry and sunny of Autumn

Welcome of Lang Son made us feel warm and easy to approach.  After taking a short rest, we were full of energy to enter the congress in merriness and optimism of youth.

With management of priests and governing body of youth in diocese, all of young people took part in the congress with the best conditions. Although the way is distant and a little difficult, 400 young people representing thousands of youth of Thanh Hoa diocese mixed with dances, songs and activities in opening moment. Though it was only short moment, we could contact with many people from other dioceses and share many thing in life or study. The songs closed our heart and connected us into brotherhood. This was the first time we have heard directly the songs of the Love Duet of Bac Ninh. How melodious it was! After the moment of doing a warm-up, we were heard lectures by the Bishops in friendly and diligent atmosphere.

400 young people representing thousands of youth of Thanh Hoa diocese mixed with dances,
songs and activities in opening moment

Learning about theme of the 2012 youth congress

The 2012 youth congress happened with a topic” Remain in my love” (John 15, 9). Through the teaching of bishops, we knew about urgent problem in life of the youth. Only by supernatural force of money or material condition does the youth make many mistakes. We ignored words of God. Even many young people acquire diseases of century such as AIDS, HIV. More specially, because of hurry and busy life, many others do not go the church, so their faith becomes weaker. Those were some typical matters in life of student. “What would become of the world if there were no His love?”. If ever that happens, we fell into sin. However, God loves us even before we love Him back. Even do we go wrong, He is still side-by-side and ready to forgive us. Our life will become dull and dark. God never abandons us and His love is always in being. Without doubt, love is the origin and motive of life. How we wish every young could emphatically say “my mission is love”.  My God, we will change our life to close you. We will become witnesses of your Love and unbounded generosity.

The 2012 youth congress...

.... happened with a topic” Remain in my love” (John 15, 9). 

The unforgettable and meaningful night

After a sunny day’s work, we attended a sacred music night with full of colors and melodies. Each diocese had individual talent to introduce own diocese. It created a glistening and fanciful night with colorful limelight in eventful atmosphere. Thanh Hoa diocese contributed two acts: the drum-beat of girls of Ba Lang parish and the song “vine and branch of grapes” by disciples of convent. The strong and imposing drum-beat quaked mountain and forests in cool darkness. It showed fierce vitality of the Thanh Hoa youth. It also showed hope in a bright future. Apart from that, the song of disciples had a deep impression in viewers’ heart. The vine and branch of grapes were inseparable, they were always attached to exist and develop. With special meanings, Thanh Hoa diocese opens heart and aims in culture exchanges.

Thanh Hoa diocese contributed two acts: the drum-beat of girls of Ba Lang parish...

... and the song “vine and branch of grapes” by disciples of convent
(The Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Thanh Hoa)

The darkness wrapped the space with cold. It was the time of rest; however, we entered a spiritual moment- Eucharist time. We offered God our feeling, studying and life with sincere sentiment. Hopefully, He will accept our prayers.

The expected mass of the youth congress from diocese in the North of Viet Nam

The great mass was happened diligently and chaired by the Resident Superior of Vatican and non-permanent representative in Viet Nam- Bishop Leopoldo Girelli. He always followed and searched for rhythm and development of Viet Nam Church. His lecture in the mass was nice words by his heart. He told us about the love of God and the faith. He was concerned with some problem of today youth. Therefore, we looked back ourselves and improved our behaviour. The youth is future of the Church and representative of love of God. He wants to see His children as a group of persons gathered and bound by love. That is what Jesus and the Church, in the first place, wanted the youth to become. As Jesus told His disciples: “as the father loves me, so I love you. Remain in My love” (John 15, 9). The youth, we let to make a community of love, a home, where mutual love is a lived reality. Lets’ become more active and keen youth to preach the words and love of God on wide missionary field. That is our lofty mission and responsibility.

The great mass was happened diligently and chaired by the Resident Superior of Vatican and non-permanent representative in Viet Nam- Bishop Leopoldo Girelli

The mass finished with solemn and sentimental ceremony- handing over the Cross to Thai Binh diocese

The mass finished with solemn and sentimental ceremony- handing over the Cross to Thai Binh diocese.  Hopefully, the youth will find real love and correct heading in life. Say good-bye Lang Son diocese with being loath and attached! We will never forget wonderful diocese with wide nutural beauty. We will remember your sincere sentiment. See you in Thai Binh diocese next year!

Jesus loves you!

In Christ

Maria Thuy