By Br. Francis-Xavier Phan Van Duong, A.A.

This part winter Cardinal Pham Minh Man did the honors of blessing the new Assumptionist scholasticate in the archdiocese of Saigon. Some 300 people crowded into the interior courtyard/patio of the house to attend the celebration which also included a Mass of Thanksgiving presided by the rector of the renowned Marian shrine, Our Lady of Fatima, where the new residence is located. Fr. Vincent Cabanac, provincial treasurer of the province of France, delivered the homily. Guests included not only members of the Assumption Family but concelebrants from other religious congregations and priests from the Diocese of Vinh.

In his remarks, Cardinal Pham Minh Man said that "We have every reason to give thanks to God for the blessing he has given us in sending another congregation to this much beloved parish. For a long time now, this shrine/parish has been a holy site. A lot of history has taken place here, both happy and sad events. Still, up to this day, many people come here from all over to pray and praise a loving God. Every day pilgrims come to place their in God through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima." The Assumptionists with their triple love of Jesus Christ and everything that Jesus Christ loved most, his mother and the Church, chose this site for the formation of future religious of the Congregation. In this way they wish to entrust to the Blessed Mother this important task of guiding and protecting these young men in formation.

In his closing remarks Cardinal Pham Minh Man added, "I am very happy to be here and participate in this event. The joy of this day gives us the hope of seeing the Kingdom of God extended and a civilization of love announced. We pray that the presence of the Assumptionists in the archdiocese makes such a world become more of a reality."

The building was begun in May 2012 and was completed with the financial assistance of many benefactors, especially the Province of France. Thirteen formators and students are living here and we would like to express our deepest gratitude to them all who made this building possible.