PROVINCE OF
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
VIETNAM
BRIEF HISTORY
In the 14th Century, Catholic Missionaries, including Franciscan Friars, came to Vietnam to introduce the Catholic Faith to the indigenous people.
In 1929, three Franciscans returned to establish the OFM Province in Vietnam. Since their arrival, the Province has been blessed with many vocations.
These are many Franciscans who came to Vietnam before the Province was officially established.
The OFM Franciscans
officially established in Vietnam
The Vatican approved project establishing the Order in Indochina was promulgated and approved on May 20, 1929 by the Consecrated Life Office.
Fr. Maurice Bertin, Fr. Hugolin Lemesre and Br. Jean-Marie Couden made up the first delegation of missionaries to Vietnam. They departed from France on September 10, 1929. The boat docked at Danang, Vietnam on Nov 21, 1929.
The OFM Franciscans
officially established in Vietnam
The Vatican approved project establishing the Order in Indochina was promulgated and approved on May 20, 1929 by the Consecrated Life Office.
Fr. Maurice Bertin, Fr. Hugolin Lemesre and Br. Jean-Marie Couden made up the first delegation of missionaries to Vietnam. They departed from France on September 10, 1929. The boat docked at Danang, Vietnam on Nov 21, 1929.
The Province grows gradually
Because of the war, Thanh Hoa Seminary closed and so the Friars had to find another place for training their seminarians. They built a simple cottage in the foothills near Nha Trang to educate the students.
The Friars had to leave the Vinh Friary and Thanh Hoa seminary after the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1954. They moved to South Vietnam and in 1958 Fr Pacifique Nguyen Binh An built a large seminary in Thu Duc, Saigon. It was large enough to accommodate two hundred and thirty seminarians.
April 30, 1975, marked a new phase in the history of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. It was unable to expand because of government restrictions. This provided an opportunity for the Church to grow deeper in its Faith commitment.
The Provincial Definitory
Provincial Minister
Job title or function
Vicar Provincial
Job title or function
Definitor
Job title or function
Definitor
Job title or function
Definitor
Job title or function