On June 12-19, 2025, the General Spiritual Assistant for the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), Friar Stefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., visited Vietnam. The postulants and novices of the Provincial Custody of St. Francis Anthony Fasani in Vietnam took full advantage of his presence. Although his schedule was very busy, Friar Stefan was able to visit the postulants in Củ Chi (Hồ Chí Minh City), on Thursday evening, June 12, and give them a friendly talk. The next week, on his only day off, he visited the novices in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, near the village of Đắk Mil (Đắk Nông Province), and gave them a friendly talk as well.
He helped us postulants and novices to better understand the source of St. Francis’ energy for praising the Lord while he lay suffering on his bed at San Damiano. St. Francis secret is easily deduced from his writings and his journey to Mount La Verna: he maintained an attitude of “returning to God” whatever he received, even the weather, be it pleasant or unpleasant. This custom made him come down from La Verna even more determined to serve lepers, as Thomas of Celano pointed out. Later, when Francis’ body became too weak for him to serve lepers, he continued serving the Lord by praising Him with, and for, His creatures.
As postulants and novices, we do experience a lot of challenges during our vocation journey. Sometimes, we lose our motivation and are tempted to give up. But in imitation of St. Francis, we are learning how “to return” everything to God, how to give thanks to God for everything He bestows upon us and let our hearts be absorbed in God’s love.
The meetings with Friar Stefan took place in a friendly and fraternal atmosphere. He left an unforgettable impression on the souls of the postulants and novices.
Andrew Kim THÔNG, postulant
Peter NGUYỄN (Thành Trung), novice
