On Sunday morning I went with Bishop Joseph to Quang Phuc parish for confirmation. It is a small parish that was decimated during the takeover by the Communists in 1954. There are now only about 700 members of the parish. It is very poor but proud, with a great heritage and history. Here is everyone going into the church.
As is usual in Vietnam, the women sit on the left and the men on the right. Next to the aisle in each pew sat the young person to be confirmed and the sponsor. It was a beautiful liturgy, and the choir was perhaps the best I have heard in the country, and that is saying a lot.
This is a view from the top of the church steps towards the rice fields across the street.
There was a procession into the church. Here is the band leading it followed by the elders of the parish.
The children to be confirmed processed in along with their sponsors. The boys had men sponsors and the girls had women sponsors. Some of the sponsors were parents, others were uncles, aunts, and grandparents.
Finally, the priests and the bishop. The colors for confirmation are red for the love of the Holy Spirit that is called upon those confirmed.
Here is the band taking a much needed rest. The brass band is a staple of religious festivals and dates back to the French occupation.
After confirmation, the bishop and pastor posed with the newly confirmed. We were all pretty proud at that moment. Then they all went to parties at their homes.
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