Carmelites Friars – North of American Province of St. Elias in allegiance to Jesus Christ
SOLEMN PROFESSION OF CARMELITE FRIARS IN VIETNAM
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – On Saturday morning, November 19, 2022, in Chau Binh Parish of the Archdiocese of Saigon, two Carmelite Friars of the North American Province of St. Elias, Commissariat of St. Joseph in Vietnam professed their solemn vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity in the Order of Carmelites. They are Brothers John the Baptist The Hoang, O.Carm. and Brother Paul Tuan Dang, O.Carm.
The Mass was a joyful celebration attended by about 200 people, including the families, relatives, and friends of our solemnly professed friars, friars from our various houses, many Carmelite Sisters and religious from other Congregations, and some of our Carmelite nuns from Vung Tau.
Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the St. Elias Province, was the main celebrant and homilist. Father Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm., Commisary Provincial, and Father Paul Therese Hung Tran, O.Carm., Formation Director at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Priory, concelebrated.
The music was provided by the choir of the Carmelite Scapular Confraternity, and the friars and novices were the altar servers. A spirit of joy and hope marked the day, and much of the artwork used was created by Brother John Baptist The, one of the newly professed, and St. Titus Brandsma, our newest saint, was portrayed in the program.
As the Mass was coming to its conclusion, all the friars, nuns, and sisters in the Carmelite family, as well as the families, relatives, and friends of our solemnly professed friars, took photographs inside the church.
After the photographs were done, our newly professed friars, their families, friends, and many other guests proceeded across the street to the Parish Hall where a celebratory luncheon was enjoyed by all.
May Our Lord and Our Lady of Mount Carmel watch over and guide our two newly solemnly professed Carmelite friars.
Friars were greeting each other before Mass.
(From left to right) Brother Joseph Mary Luong Nguyen, Father Joseph Nguyen Do,
Father Joseph Vinh Nguyen, and Brother Joseph Titus Hung Nguyen, O.Carm.
Brother John Baptist The Hoang, O.Carm. (left) and Brother Paul Tuan Dang, O.Carm. (right)
About 200 people attended the Mass,
including our friars, nuns and sisters in the Carmelite family and religious from other congregations.
Father Mario gave the homily to the congregation.
Brothers John Baptist and Paul prostrated during the Litany of Saints.
Brother John Baptist The Hoang, O.Carm. solemnly professed obedience, poverty and chastity for life
Brother Paul Tuan Dang, O.Carm. signed the vows in front of the Provincial and the two witnesses
after he professed his vows for life
Father Joseph Nguyen Do, O.Carm gave fraternal peace to one of our newly professed friars
During the Eucharistic prayer…
Two newly professed friars with Father Mario, the main celebrant, and all the concelebrants
Two newly professed with the members of the Carmelite family
Two newly professed friars with their families at the beginning of the luncheon
Father Mario also blessed the meal.
News and Photos are from Carmelite Media of SEL Province
