The evening of Saturday, May 6, was a joyous day for the community of Daughters of Charity in 42 Tu Xuong, Ho Chi Minh City. More than 250 young students gathered for the community to attend a celebration of the 2017 World Day of Prayer for Vocations with the topic: Vincentian Vocation and the 400 Years Of Charism.

The young participants included a group of Vincentian Marian Youth, a group of students of promotion, a group of students from Lady of Peace, dormitory students, and other students. Present also were seminarians of the Congregation of Missions and sisters of the Daughter of Charity from St. Gabriel Perboyre institute of theology.

The Day of Prayer for Vocations was very joyful and warm, with three parts: the presentation of the life of the Saint Vincent de Paul and the vocation of the Congregation of the Mission, the life of Saint Louise de Marillac and the vocation of the Daughters of Charity, and Mass for the vocation-party and cultural feast.

Seminarian John Baptist Thuyen spoke to the young people about the life of Saint Vincent, missionary vocation and especially the vocation now in Vietnam.

Next, Sister Therese Chi gave a presentation on the life of Saint Louise and the performance of Saint Vincent de Paul meeting sister Marguerite Naseau, the first sister of Daughter of Charity, as well as the introduction of the Daughters of Charity vocation, and the stages of training in Vietnam.

Then, they went to the community chapel and attended Mass in a solemn and light manner. Father Paul Le Quang Bao Vinh, CSsR presided over the Mass. In the sermon, father Paul spoke of the missionary vocation of proclaiming the good news. The sisters’vocation is service, but the heart makes the words have fire and the hands of servants become gentle. He also said Saint Vincent was a lamb who listened to the voice of Pastoral Jesus to live his vocation and today is all that you are called to inherit.

After the Mass they all had a party together at the community campus with a lot of very special performances. The presence of young people has inspired youthfulness and hope for the future vocation. Young people are very attracted to the missionary vocation and charity of both congregations. Before they left to go back home everyone received a small gift of a Miraculous Medal.