By LiCAS.news
VIETNAM – A solemn Thanksgiving Mass was held on Jun 30 at Phat Diem parish in Vietnam to honor Fr Rôcô Nguyễn Duy’s 25 years of priesthood and his significant contributions to the development of Vietnamese Catholic sacred music.
The celebration brought together 11 bishops from dioceses including Bùi Chu, Hải Phòng, Phú Cường, Xuân Lộc, Đà Lạt, Mỹ Tho, and Hà Tĩnh. The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of Ho Chi Minh City and concelebrated by dozens of priests, including vicars general and seminary rectors. Religious men and women, musicians, and hundreds of lay faithful also took part in the liturgy.
Fr Joseph Phạm Đình Đại, parish priest of Phat Diem, welcomed Fr Rôcô as a “gifted priest-musician and beloved son of the parish” who had left a lasting impression on many through his faith-filled hymns.’
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Nguyễn Năng recalled that Fr Rôcô and two classmates—Fr Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Cường and Fr Giacôbê Mai Phát Đạt—were ordained at the ages of 46, 48, and 50, respectively.
He noted the challenges of their delayed ordination and referenced a humorous song sung by seminarians at the time: “Con lom khom bước lên bàn thờ Chúa.”
Despite their late start, he said the three had lived their vocations with faithfulness and zeal. The archbishop invited the faithful to offer thanksgiving and pray that the priests continue their ministry in strength and peace.
Continue reading in LiCAS.news.
