On October 10 in Rome, three Marian priests from Vietnam—Fr. John the Baptist Nguyễn Văn Biên, Fr. Peter Nguyễn Văn Hà, and Fr. Peter Nguyễn Tiến Dung—were ordained to the priesthood. The ceremony marked the culmination of their basic formation and was a significant event for the growing Vietnamese Vicariate, as they are the first Marians of Vietnamese origin.
The ordinations took place at the Church of St. Vitus—a church with a special connection to the history of the Marians. Fathers of our Congregation served there from 1779 to 1798. At that time, the church and the adjoining monastery were owned by the Marian Order, but were later confiscated from them by Napoleon Bonaparte. The church also houses the original painting of the Immaculate Mary by Franciszek Smuglewicz.
Archbishop John Kennedy, secretary of the Disciplinary Section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presided over the Mass. The liturgy was attended by the superiors of the provinces and vicariates, who were in Rome for an annual meeting organized by the Superior General, as well as sisters from the Order of the Most Holy Savior of St. Bridget, who enriched the celebration with their singing.
In his homily, Archbishop John Kennedy addressed the newly ordained priests, emphasizing that he joyfully welcomed the three sons of the Church who had come from Vietnam to Rome to begin their priestly ministry here. He emphasized that the priestly vocation is a gift from God, not a reward or a position, and that a priest is not ordained for himself but for the people—to serve, bless, forgive, and break the Bread. He noted that the new priests of the Congregation of Marian Fathers carry on the legacy of Mary Immaculate, who unreservedly said “yes” to God and went forth to serve, and that they are to be sowers of the seed of faith: in the confessional, at the altar, in schools, at the bedsides of the sick, and at the doorstep of the parish. He encouraged them to bear witness—especially to young people—to an authentic, rather than an ideal, faith—to listen, to accompany them, and to show that Christ is alive and that faith brings joy. He reminded them that a priest never walks alone: he has brothers in the congregation, the prayers of families and the faithful, and above all, the faithful Lord and Mary, who intercedes for him at every step.
After a short leave in Europe, the new priests will return to Vietnam, where they will begin their pastoral work. They will also develop the local mission, preparing the grounds for pastoral needs and tending to the farm.
Marian formation begins with the candidacy stage. This is a time for discerning one’s vocation and learning English. Next, during the postulancy, candidates undertake philosophical studies—depending on their individual abilities and prior preparation.
Upon completing these studies, they begin the novitiate. This culminates in the profession of first religious vows and their incorporation into the Marian community. In the following years, the religious study theology, profess perpetual vows, and are ordained to the diaconate. After a period of pastoral internship, they may be ordained to the priesthood.
The Vietnamese Vicariate comprises a religious house and a residence. It includes five priests; six seminarians are continuing their formation, and four brothers are preparing for the novitiate.
