On April 17, to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection, churches and missionaries in Ho Chi Minh City held Mass with the participation of a large number of foreigners living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, such as post-pandemic revival.
The English community participates in Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon, District 1 – Photo: PHUONG NAM
According to priest Joseph Dao Nguyen Vu – bishop’s representative in charge of foreigners, Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, Easter is the biggest celebration of the year for Catholics. Therefore, on this occasion, parishioners at home and abroad all participate in Mass.
Incomplete statistics are based on the number of people who regularly go to Mass. In Ho Chi Minh City, the English community (ie English speakers in countries around the world) is over 2,000 people, the Korean community is about 700 people, plus the French group is more than 100 people, and the Japanese community is about 30 people.
The Mass took place at Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon on the morning of April 17, attended by nearly 1,000 people from the English community. Before that, on the evening of April 16, there were about 300 people attending Mass.
At noon on April 17, at Huyen Si church, there were about 300 people from the Korean community attending Mass, on April 16 there were more than 100 people.
“In the past, when the epidemic broke out, the church was closed. Because of family and work situations, many foreigners had to return home. And those who stayed to attend Mass were very few. The attendance of parishioners was allowed to go back to the country. consider it a connection with resurrection, the new life of God, this is resurrection. For each person, this is also very important,” said priest Joseph Dao Nguyen Vu.
Ho Chi Minh City currently has 203 churches, and 15 mission points (religious groups have not been to church).
Through activities during the holy week, Bishop Joseph Nguyen Nang – archbishop, Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City – wishes everyone to see the value of love and sharing of Catholics during the past pandemic. and continue to develop in the future.
Father Joseph Dao Nguyen Vu sends peace to the Korean community attending Mass at Huyen Si Church, District 1 – Photo: PHUONG NAM
Parishioners attend Mass at Huyen Si Church, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City – Photo: PHUONG NAM
The English community can participate in Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon (District 1), Ba Chuong Church (Phu Nhuan District).
The French community can attend Mass at Mai Khoi Church (District 3).
The Korean community goes to Huyen Si church (District 1).
Especially at the Pastoral Center of Saigon Archdiocese (District 1), there is a holy Mass for English, Korean, and Japanese communities.