The Holy Family Congregation reunion at Phước Sơn Abbey
December 28, 2025
On December 28, 2025, more than 800 male and female monks from 13 monasteries of the Cistercian Congregation of the Holy Family made a pilgrimage to Phuoc Son Cistercian Monastery (Ho Chi Minh City) to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the patronal feast of the Congregation, in the context of the Holy Year of Hope. Abbot President John XXIII Nguyen Van Son opened the pilgrimage day with the reminder: "The Holy Year may come to a close, but God's grace never ends," guiding everyone to return to the source of their faith and draw spiritual strength for their vocational journey.
After moments of fraternal gathering, the community commemorated and prayed at the tomb of the founder, the late Father Thuan, giving thanks to God for his life and spiritual legacy. The Abbot President then invited the community to understand more deeply the meaning of returning to the source, not merely as a historical memory, but as a return to the identity and path to holiness that the founder lived and handed down to his disciples —"Walking together as one."
The thanksgiving Mass took place in a solemn atmosphere, connecting generations of monks as one spiritual family. In his homily, Abbot Joseph Khang emphasized the spirituality of the Holy Family, calling each person to live with love, patience, and forgiveness, in the spirit of Saint Paul. At the end of Mass, Abbot Vincent Liem, on behalf of the community, gave thanks to Phuoc Son Monastery—the birthplace of the Congregation. The joy of communion continued to spread through the Agape gathering, with performances, dance, and vibrant testimonies. The pilgrimage day concluded in a spirit of gratitude, as brothers and sisters returned to their monasteries, continuing to "walk together as one" on the path to holiness.
December 28, 2025
On December 28, 2025, more than 800 male and female monks from 13 monasteries of the Cistercian Congregation of the Holy Family made a pilgrimage to Phuoc Son Cistercian Monastery (Ho Chi Minh City) to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the patronal feast of the Congregation, in the context of the Holy Year of Hope. Abbot President John XXIII Nguyen Van Son opened the pilgrimage day with the reminder: "The Holy Year may come to a close, but God's grace never ends," guiding everyone to return to the source of their faith and draw spiritual strength for their vocational journey.
After moments of fraternal gathering, the community commemorated and prayed at the tomb of the founder, the late Father Thuan, giving thanks to God for his life and spiritual legacy. The Abbot President then invited the community to understand more deeply the meaning of returning to the source, not merely as a historical memory, but as a return to the identity and path to holiness that the founder lived and handed down to his disciples —"Walking together as one."
The thanksgiving Mass took place in a solemn atmosphere, connecting generations of monks as one spiritual family. In his homily, Abbot Joseph Khang emphasized the spirituality of the Holy Family, calling each person to live with love, patience, and forgiveness, in the spirit of Saint Paul. At the end of Mass, Abbot Vincent Liem, on behalf of the community, gave thanks to Phuoc Son Monastery—the birthplace of the Congregation. The joy of communion continued to spread through the Agape gathering, with performances, dance, and vibrant testimonies. The pilgrimage day concluded in a spirit of gratitude, as brothers and sisters returned to their monasteries, continuing to "walk together as one" on the path to holiness.