The memorable marks in the diocese’s past

According to the decree of the Vatican, Thanhhoa diocese was set up on May 7th, 1932. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to inhabitants in Thanhhoa bishopric who always put their belief in the Lord’s power. Since its founding, Thanhhoa has been cared for by many talented bishops and priests. Firstly, the Vatican appointed the bishop Louis De Cooman Hanh to be the first bishop of the diocese, a position he held for twenty-two years. He constructed the diocese during difficult economic and political circumstances and trained a huge number of priests to have all-around ability and enthusiasm. Bishop Peter Pham Tan took over the diocese from 1960 to 1990 after the first bishop of Thanhhoa had returned to France. Then, from 1994, the bishop Bartholomew Nguyen Son Lam looked after the diocese for 9 years. I was born in 1991, so I had a short time to have contact with him. In my memory, he was a good-hearted and skillful person. In a short time, he had a strong attachment to Thanhhoa. He tried to develop and extend the diocese. He focused on building material facilities and projects including bishop house, convent, and churches. He also gave his mind to improving the Catholics’ living. From 2004 up to the present, Thanhhoa diocese has had a great bishop with wonderful talent and intelligence. With the slogan “They may all be one” (John 17, 21), the bishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh led the diocese to pass many troubles and difficulties.

Recent statistics indicated that Thanhhoa diocese has 86 priests, 92 monks, 71 seminarians, 227 nuns, 51 parishes, 6 vicariates, 334 small parishes and more than 136.766 Catholics. That is great success of Thanhhoa diocese on missionary field. That is the result of patience, humbleness and regular prayers of the shepherds. In forth coming years, Thanhhoa will have many people who want to sacrifice one’s life to Church and learn about Catholicism.

The bishops are loyal, efficient shepherds of God and knowledgeable teachers of Catholicism. They are commissioned to guide the sheep of God. I am convinced that Thanhhoa diocese was blessed by God as soon as it was established. Thanhhoa bishopric was 80 years old and experienced many ups and downs. No matter how difficult the bishopric gets, it is still unyielding and powerful. God conferred many talented bishops, priests, monks, nuns to the diocese. Each bishop has individual strategies, experiences and abilities to improve the Church, but they have the heart, belief and worry in common. Who can one consult on bishops’ innermost feelings? Nobody can understand thoroughly their sentiment without getting in touch with them. Luckily, I talked with likable diocesan Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh about 3 years ago when I was a student. It is thought by many that he is an easy-to-talk, active and knowledgeable person. That claim is fully true. He is regarded and loved by thousands of Catholics in the diocese due to his kind-heart sentiment. After he had gotten assignment managing Thanhhoa diocese, he got many hardships such as finance, authorities. He always worries how to improve parishioners’ spiritual life and how to develop infrastructures quickly. Like many other bishops, he is willing to lay down his life for the sheep. He knows what the Catholics need. Apart from that, the priests, the nuns and the monks also are good disciples of the Church and bishop’s right-hand man. All of them bring God’s words to everyone, talk about their Savior and do good in everything following God’s idea. They all are trained, drilled and learned at some famous universities all over the world. They are good shepherds of God and the Catholics. They call parishioners friend, so Catholic’s belief in the shepherds is unshakeable. They always instruct us to lead a kind-hearted life and take the Saints’ example.

Wonderful memories of diocese over the past 80 years

Waiting for and welcoming delegations from the countryside and other nations has been one of the great actions of the diocese over the past 80 years. Thanhhoa diocese is neither poor nor rich, there is enough to share and help difficult situations in diocese. To get financial support for developing the diocese, the bishops tried to mobilize to the highest degree the material strength of all people at home and abroad. Nearly five score years ago, the diocese welcomed many delegations and received affectionate sentiment from them. I see that everyone comes to our diocese with happiness, and surprise. They are amazed because of our diocese’s solidarity, loyalty and strong belief. Maybe our diocese’s population is not crowded, but our belief is very strong. Almost all delegations coming from other dioceses in Vietnam bring not only song but also happiness. Especially, Thanhhoa diocese accommodated a delegation of the Vatican in 2011. This event was considered as a great favor of diocese. On December 1st-3rd, 2011, the visit by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, who is in non-permanent committee in Vietnam, became an important and significant event. It opened up a new horizon for Thanhhoa. He visited some parish in diocese such as Chinh Toa, Ba lang, Tam Tong. Those are three places gathering the largest population of Thanhhoa bishopric. With the power, beauty and terrains, Thanhhoa diocese can walk abreast with other developing countries all over Vietnam. However, it really needs the encouragement, contribution and prayers of everyone. What is more, Thanhhoa diocese’s prestige is also broadened through big festivals such as Christmas, Easter,... and especially the opening of Holy Year. Catholics gathered from everywhere in Vietnam, so the mass became more diligent.

As for famous models, actors, singers, they do social work to enhance their reputation. They want to approach people to receive many fans. The shepherds and Catholics also help poor children, do social work and other charity works. Their purpose, however, is different. Have you ever seen the bishops or priests receive fees? They do not have any salary, but they still do many good works to help everyone. We can see that the bishops or priests do charity out of love. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7, 7). Money is only matter, but spirit and heart are really important. However, to have big funds, maybe the bishop and the priests have to borrow or mobilize the sponsors abroad. Thanks to the Lord, many have kind hearts and wonderful enthusiasm. With the aid of all of Catholics, benefactors and sponsors, the diocese can bring love through their work to people in difficulty. Over the past 80 years, Thanhhoa diocese has brought the heart to poor parishes, the leper’s hospital, children- sponsoring centre. That is where they can find the truest or deepest happiness, joyfulness through works to please God.

The greatest blessing mass

On May 7th, 2012, “the Jubilee of the 80th Anniversary” and “opening of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2012” was held in Chinhtoa Parish. Those are great events as marvelous festival of diocese. Thanks to the concern of the Pope, prayers of the bishop, God’s great favor overflowed into Thanhhoa bishopric. Everyone from other parishes and nations gathered on the campus of Chinh Toa church to take part in the great mass. With thoughtful preparing of commissions, the mass was solemn and diligent in a nice atmosphere and wonderful weather. With the topic “expressing gratitude to the past- making the present prosperous- coming to the future”, everyone offered God thankfulness and honest prayers.

In conclusion, each diocese has individual history and founding process, our Thanhhoa diocese has an imposing and well-known past. 80 years with many troubles, diocese is still optimistic and grown up. Thanks to the bishop who built a developing diocese with many changes. Thanks to the priests who always care and guide the parishioners. Thanks to the nuns and monks who offer all their lives for God. Being a student, being full of knowledge in the face of difficulties in life, I will try my best to study well and serve the church in the future. My Lord, we are a humble and weak person, please bestow power, peace, health and happiness for our bishop. Please make our Thanhhoa diocese more active, grown-up and developed. In addition, please teach us how to love and lay down our life for each other. Jesus, we love you!

  In Christ

                                                                                                            Maria Thuy