A Catholic priest presiding over a theology graduation Mass in Ho Chi Minh City urged religious sisters to see theological study not as an academic exercise, but as a way of deepening faith and strengthening their witness in mission.
“Studying theology is not only about accumulating knowledge, but also about deepening one’s relationship with God,” said Fr. Joseph Tran Hoa Hung, SDB, during the patronal feast of the Intercongregational Institute of St. Thomas Aquinas on Jan. 24.
Fr. Hung, episcopal delegate for religious of the Archdiocese of Saigon, presided over the Mass honoring St. Thomas Aquinas and marking the graduation of 108 sisters from nearly 20 women’s religious congregations who completed the institute’s theology program for the 2022–2025 academic years.
The Mass was held at the institute’s campus in An Phu Dong Ward, following a graduation ceremony recognizing what organizers described as a sustained and disciplined journey of theological formation.
The degrees conferred were presented as both academic credentials and spiritual preparation for ministry in pastoral work, education, social charity, and evangelization.
In his message, Fr. Hung pointed to St. Thomas Aquinas as a model for religious formation, urging the sisters to seek truth with humility, love the Church, and place knowledge at the service of faith.
He described the saint as embodying harmony between faith and reason, contemplation and scholarship.
He stressed that theological learning “only truly has meaning when it is applied and lived out in daily life and mission,” so that it may “bring joy and hope to people today.”
Fr. Hung said theological formation should shape consecrated life itself, adding that study helps sisters deepen their relationship with God, from which consecrated life becomes “a living witness to the Gospel in a world filled with challenges.”
At the close of his reflection, he encouraged the sisters to cultivate a love of truth grounded in prayer, following the example of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Joseph Pham Quoc Van, O.P., president of the Archdiocesan Union of Religious of Saigon; Fr. Paul Nguyen Minh Tuan, O.P., vice provincial; Fr. John the Baptist Nguyen Quang Tuyen, dean of Chi Hoa Deanery; and six other priests.
More than 260 sisters attended the celebration, including formators, major superiors, and students from congregations currently enrolled at the institute.
Among those present were Sr. Maria Tran Thi Lua, president of the Union of Dominican Sisters of Vietnam, and the superior general of the Dominican Sisters of Rosa Lima.
After the post-Communion prayer, the presiding priest congratulated the institute on its patronal feast and encouraged the sisters to remain faithful to their consecrated vocation, bringing what they have learned into community life, academic settings, parishes, and missions entrusted to them by their congregations.
Institute officials said the annual patronal feast serves as both an occasion of thanksgiving and a moment to reflect on the mission of theological formation, while strengthening intercongregational life and communion.
They described this year’s graduation and feast-day celebration as a sign of a synodal Church, where faith is illuminated by intellect and knowledge is directed toward service.
Over the years, the institute has become a recognized center for theological education for women religious, supporting academic formation while fostering dialogue, accompaniment, and effective service in today’s social context.
