I heard that the temperature dropped to 27 degrees in New Hampshire on Thanksgiving Day. I guess that it wasn't much warmer on 'Black Friday' when some went shopping or continued to spend time with their loved ones. Even if it had been warmer, I wish we would have had that kind of "warm” here in Saigon. The rain early Thursday made the morning somewhat cooler. It was around 70 degrees in the morning, but it changed quickly and rose to 80 when the sun appeared  before anyone made it to their office at 7:30 AM.

I wanted to be with the community at the first moment of the day as they gather for mediation. Later, Dennis and I took a walk through the neighborhood. As we walked along the road, because Dennis could not hide who he is compared to me or other Vietnamese: short, slim, dark hair, etc., so people said hello to us when they saw us walking and we immediately became the topic for their conversation.

We chose a local “Pho restaurant” for our breakfast. Dennis had a small bowl of Pho and a coffee and I had a glass of homemade soy bean milk. On the way, I tried to introduce Dennis to the way of life we were seeing as we walked. I think Dennis would be better suited than me to describe what struck him as so different. You may have heard about “crossing busy streets in Vietnam” – Dennis had that 'eventful' experience today.

You may have seen the picture of “people selling their goods on the street” – Dennis saw that today as well.

You may have had difficulties understanding the “Oriental way of explaining things” – Dennis had that experience right here in an Oriental country. You may have given some Asian people the “impression of how strong individualism is in Western countries” – Dennis witnessed how communal life affects people here in Vietnam. I would say the list of his experiences could be much longer….

After breakfast, we took a taxi to the center of Saigon. We visited the Basilica, Independence Palace – you may see the picture of “the tank at the gate of this palace” from April 30, 1975. We witnessed the contrast of wealth and poverty, the busyness of the city as well as the relaxation of people at work, the beauty of art work and the filth of pollution, modern technology in the hands of a farmer, etc. Life moves on. It does not stop to wait for anyone. It silently marks the heart and mind of those who pause to think, to reflect with the lines and dots of these images and they become the inspiration for life, love, art, poems, with all laughter and tears.

We took a taxi back to the community of the Little Sisters of Assumption for lunch; Dennis had a good time answering all the questions they asked. We focused on the common charism of our different branches of the Assumption Family. We spoke Vietnamese, French, English and used our hands a lot!!!

Everything was fine until after our nap. Dennis started to notice that there was something wrong with his stomach. I felt so bad. Added to this physical unpleasantness,  we had to wait an extra hour for the plane to Dalat. So that meant we arrived at Lien Khuong Airport late. The Director of Studies picked us up at the airport.

When we arrived at the seminary, the Rector and some priests greeted us. I could not hold my tears back and gave each of them a big hug. After few minutes, Dennis went to bed.The rest of us went to the dining hall to have the dinner which had been prepared for us. We could not let a single minute pass by without talking, asking questions, complimenting each other and recalling all the memories we had when I lived here. It was midnight and we had to go to bed because the next day would be a busy one and a main focus of our trip. I told myself that I had to go to sleep and made an effort to do so right away, but it didn't work….. So I set out to visit every single room in the seminary that I knew from long ago: the ping pong room, the game room, class-rooms, big and small chapels, kitchen, coffee room, the underground room… I passed by every single bedroom and looked at the door which now features the names of new seminarians. The memories of each of the seminarians of my class came back when I stood at the door and I saw not the new names but those that were there so many years ago. After 60 years of existence and 22 years since I entered seminary on August 7, 1988, the building has not changed: wooden house; poor, simple setting; garden; and supporting structures…. I would like to say to the bishop and director that: “please do not change it." It brought me back to so many years to that time when I myself was given a particular direction. I believe it does the same to others who have been here in any form of living and for any length of time, even if it is only a few days.

Then I continued my walk to the new Pastoral Center where we would celebrate the Mass, the highlight of our trip to Dalat. I walked slowly and stopped at every building. This place, the entire seminary of mine, formed many priests, even bishops and all of us, myself included, shared an experience of having at times to live, study and work underground. Now I could not believe that it had become a place used for Lay Formation in the Diocese. It was such an amazing, joyful feeling. Again, I wasn't planning to tell you all this, but I cannot, absolutely cannot, close my eyes.

I did not want to end this e-mail without letting you know that the “preparation” meetings with our Assumptionist brothers here in VN gave us a very solid and clear idea about the “Assumption Project in VN” with regard to education and possible collaboration with Assumption College. Dennis and I would love to have more time to think, to put it all in order, and to share with all of you the details in person. That may be the wise and safer way to go on this issue.

I love you all and wish you all could be here in person. I know that you ARE here with me in prayer and spirit.

by Br. Dinh Vo Tran Gia, AA

Footnote to Chapter III
by Fr. Dennis Gallagher, AA, Regional Superior

Happy to report that today, this Sunday morning in Vietnam, is the first day I've felt just about normal, with the clock finally adjusting to Asian time and after a bout with nausea over the last day and a half.   Dinh and I figure it was the coconut milk in which the chicken was floating at the Little Sisters at lunch on Friday.   Whatever it was, it hit me hard and right on a traveling day (John will remember this strange phenomenon from Jerusalem in '73). I'll spare you the details, but it meant getting sick in public places.... no fun at all.

It also meant that I missed one of the centerpieces of the trip, the dedication of a beautiful, spacious Pastoral Center for the diocese of Dalat. Hard to believe, but close to 20,000 people came for the occasion, with close to 200 priests concelebrating. In a private meeting with the bishop after the Mass, he said it might have been just as well that I wasn't there. The regime carefully watches over major events of this kind, and the presence of this outsider might have raised suspicions. This may seem like paranoia from our side, but we're not much in a position to judge. The candor of the bishop was striking. Far be it from me to deter God's providential designs.

Last evening Dinh and I visited the parish where Dinh served from 1991-1995, made up largely of "minority" people.  We spent time with the pastor and visited several homes.  Dinh received the warmest of greetings from those we visited, who remembered him from those days and who showered him with the affection characteristic of indigenous people.

Even with time out for stomach distress, it has already seemed like a whirlwind.  The many photos will help to mark the visits to the various communities. I had the pleasure this morning of a lengthy conversation with the rector of the seminary, followed by a tour of the property. Dinh went back to the parish for an early morning Mass and will be returning shortly. The rest of the day will befit the Sabbath, with a walk in the village here and a talk this evening with all of the seminarians. 

Hope you are all well.

Much love,
Dennis

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter I

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter II

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter IV

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter V

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter VI

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter VII

A Vietnamese Diary: Chapter VIII