Mass and Lunch with All the Seminarians

To celebrate the end of the Year of Faith begun by Pope Benedict, Bishop Joseph, Bishop of  Phat Diem, decided all of them should get together at the minor seminary here. There are now 170 men, from those beginning study to those who are about to be ordained. That is just for this diocese alone. Here are a few pictures of that gathering. So many of them were, and are, my students. So proud  to be with them.

 First was a pep talk and lecture from the bishop.

 I had a chance to see Mr. Dao. He about runs things around here. Mr. Dao used to work at the  bishop's house but now is at the Minor Seminary.

 Rows of food that was delicious (and, darn it, good for me).

 Joseph Tien, my first student, now at the Major Seminary in Hanoi.

 Just guys doing what we do best, nothing. Except for Mr. Hieu who was announcing a soccer goal.

Mass was beautiful, and there were twelve priests concelebrating with the bishop. The music was wonderful and the singing was...well...very loud, just the way it should be.