Mongomo is a small town in Equatorial Guinea, on the border with Gabon. Sister Maria writes: “Living with the people here is a great gift for our community. They are so open to the Word of God.” Every month, the people in the nearby villages look forward to their visit. On Sundays, since there is almost never a priest to celebrate Mass, they meet with some of us to hear the Word explained. More than five hundred gather. On the other hand, only about fifty manage to take part in the parish meetings in Mongomo. It must be taken into account that they have no clocks and no notion of the date, so it is very difficult to arrange appointments, so their presence is not constant. Sometimes they have to travel (obviously on foot) ten or twenty kilometres to get there. It is moving to see that they never get tired of hearing about God. I would like you to hear them tell how they put the Gospel into practice: they are simple, concrete experiences… hearing them is enough to convert you. I have often heard some of them repeat that the Word of God is as necessary to them as food. ”
(Sister Mary – Equatorial Guinea)
Reconciliation
I was particularly struck when I heard the Gospel phrase “If you present your offering on the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar and go first to be reconciled with your brother…” I wasn’t on good terms with a certain lady. Summoning up my courage, I went to her. Unfortunately, not only did she not listen to me, but she shouted at me to go away. I felt demoralized and I didn’t know what to do. Meanwhile, my son had received a letter from an acquaintance who wanted to apologize to him because of a small misunderstanding between them a few days earlier. I was surprised: firstly, because my son is so young that he can’t read yet, so I had to read the letter to him; secondly, because an adult apologized so sincerely to him. This inspired me to write to that lady asking for forgiveness. A few days later I receive a phone call from her: “Please, you forgive me!” I went back to her, we cleared up all our misunderstandings and full of joy, we reconciled.
25th March 2026 – The event was held in the Sala della Conciliazione of the Lateran Palace where, after decades of conflict, the Catholic Church and the Italian State signed the Lateran Treaties in 1929. In this same historic place, in 2013, the diocesan phase of the Cause of Beatification of one of the most important spiritual figures of our time concluded: the Vietnamese Card.François-Xavier Nguyễn Vân Thuân.
220 people were present, Cardinals, Bishops, family members, priests, nuns and lay people from Vietnam and other countries. Thousands more were connected via streaming in seven languages on Vatican Media’s YouTube channels. The reason for this gathering was the occurrence of 50th anniversary since Nguyễn Vân Thuân, then a young Bishop, in the first months of his imprisonment that began on 15th August, 1975, managed to send his faithful 1,001 short meditations written on scraps of old calendars. The event was organized by the Cause of Beatification of the Vietnamese Cardinal, together with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development which is responsible for the Cause, in collaboration with the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Diocese of Rome and Città Nuova Publishing House.
Pope Leo marked the occasion with a Message signed by Card. Parolin, Secretary of State, expressing the hope that “this significant event will foster a renewed appreciation of the fervent witness of such ac courageous disciple of the Gospel and generous Shepherd”. His example – he continued – “is profoundly relevant today because it reminds us that Christian hope is born from an encounter with Christ and takes shape in a life given to God and neighbour”.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Pope’s Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, welcomed the participants. He recalled the relevance of Nguyễn Vân Thuân’s life in the aftermath of the Jubilee of Hope, at a time when the Gospel is transmitted above all through witness.
Cardinale Baldassare ReinaDr. Waldery HilgemanSig.ra Élisabeth Nguyễn Thị Thu Hồng
But who was this Vietnamese Cardinal? A brief biographical sketch was offered by Dr. Waldery Hilgeman, Postulator for the Cause of Beatification. A descendant of a family that in the nineteenth century included martyrs among its ancestors, from a young age François-Xavier was attracted by the example of the saints and later to contemporary spiritual movements, including the Cursillos and the Focolare. He entered the seminary, became a priest and obtained a doctorate in canon law. In 1967 he was consecrated Bishop of Nha Trang. When Paul VI appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Saigon in 1975, a long trial began: he was arrested and spent thirteen years in prison, of which nine in solitary confinement. He later recounted that there he learned “to choose God and not the works of God”. He understood that God wanted him to be with the other prisoners, almost all non-Catholic, as a presence of God and of His love, “in hunger, in cold, in hard labour, in humiliation and injustice”. He was released in 1988. He lived in Rome from 1991, where John Paul II appointed him first Vice President and then President of the then Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and in 2001 made him a cardinal.
Elisabeth Nguyễn, the Cardinal’s sister, recounted the remarkable story of the 1001 thoughts. Smuggled out from house arrest, “they began a journey of evangelization from one family to another, from one prison cell to another, before crossing the oceans with the boat people“. Years later, they became the book The Road of Hope.
Powerful and moving experiences, augmented, halfway through the meeting, by a piano piece performed masterfully by Don Carlo Seno: “La Campanella” by Franz Liszt.
Over the course of just an hour and a half, guided by the journalist Alessandro De Carolis of Vatican Media, additional aspects of Nguyễn Vân Thuân’s life emerged. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, spoke of him as an “evangelizer in every circumstance”, recounting the testimony of a Buddhist monk: “It was winter, it was two degrees below zero and we did not have enough blankets in the re-education camp. The Bishop would go out several times every day to collect branches and pieces of wood to heat the camp at night… He was what we Buddhists call a “Bo tac”: a very holy man. ”
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, recalled how in 1995 a personal friendship was born with Nguyễn Văn Thuận: “I was struck by the fact that, while he recounted painful and even humiliating experiences, his voice remained calm and his face serene. There was no hint of bitterness or hatred in him. I couldn’t take my eyes off his radiant and smiling face. ”
Along with his spiritual stature, his deep concern for global issues of justice and peace emerged. Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development spoke of this. For the occasion, he had published the Italian translation of a new biography of Nguyễn Văn Thuận, written by his sister Elisabeth together with the Belgian priest Stefaan Lecleir.
Cardinale Michael Czerny, S.J.Cardinale Luis Antonio TagleCardinale Lazzaro You Heung-sik
Card. Czerny explained, “His main contribution at a global level was his role in the development of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2004)”. He then referred to a striking question posed by the Vietnamese Archbishop: “Faced with the current political and economic situation, some wonder: will we be able to cross the threshold of the new millennium with hope?” In response, he cited a well-known journalist who predicted “three catastrophic phases” for impoverished societies: exploitation – exclusion – elimination. “When I think of all this,” commented Nguyễn Văn Thuận, “my heart is torn and I would like to shout: ‘impossible’.”
At the end of the event, the actor and journalist Rosario Tronnolone read some passages from The Road of Hope that resound like the golden seal: “You want to carry out a revolution: to renew the world. You will be able to accomplish this precious mission that God has entrusted to you, only through “the power of the Holy Spirit”. Every day, where you live, prepare a new Pentecost. Commit yourself to a campaign that aims to make everyone happy. Sacrifice yourself continually, with Jesus, to bring peace to souls, development and prosperity to peoples. Let this be your spirituality, discreet and concrete at the same time. “
“In order to hold on firmly to your faith, you must choose the Road of Hope followed by the disciples of Christ”. This is one of the 1001 thoughts addressed by the then Archbishop François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận to his faithful during his long years of imprisonment for his faith: a collection of reflections, warnings, and encouragements, later collected in the book “The Road of Hope”, considered the “spiritual testament” of the Vietnamese Cardinal, declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the book’s publication, the Cause for Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which is acting as the promoter of the cause, together with the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Città Nuova Publishing House, and the Diocese of Rome, wish to honor the memory of the Vietnamese Cardinal by celebrating a conference entitled “François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận. Witness of Hope ”.
The event will be held on March 25 in Rome, at the Sala dei Trattati Lateranensi, in the Palazzo Apostolico Lateranense, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ms. Élisabeth Nguyễn Thị Thu Hồng, sister of Cardinal Văn Thuận, will be present.
Through the testimony of those who knew him, and with excerpts and music from his writings, the conference aims to highlight the relevance of Cardinal Văn Thuận today: a faithful pastor who was able to transform his experience of imprisonment into a space of prayer, forgiveness, and sacrifice, showing how the light of the Gospel can overcome all darkness. His words convey a message of hope, a universal spiritual heritage.
His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, will open the proceedings. Speakers will include His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Dr. Waldery Hilgeman, Postulator of the Cause for Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận; His Eminence Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy; His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Don Carlo Seno, priest of the Diocese of Milan and director of the “Vinea mea” Spirituality Center, will perform on the piano.
The meeting will be moderated by journalist Alessandro De Carolis of Vatican Radio – Vatican News.
During the conference, the Italian edition of the new biography of Cardinal Văn Thuận, written by his sister Élisabeth and published by Città Nuova Editrice, will be presented, with a preface by Cardinal Michael Czerny.
The event is open to the press, upon request for accreditation at the Holy See Press Office, and will be available via streaming in Italian, with simultaneous translation into English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Vietnamese.
By the Cause for the Beatification of Cardinal Văn Thuận
The life, works, and spirituality of Cardinal Văn Thuận are also illustrated on the website dedicated to him, in several languages, at https://www.cardinalvanthuan.va/it.html
Almost three years after his arrival, medical tests revealed that Elio had a tumour with widespread metastases. Surgery was pointless. A question spontaneously arose within me: why did it happen to him, a person in the fullness of human and spiritual maturity, who could still give a lot to our community, where his wise and calm presence had already helped resolve a difficult situation? Mine was a cry of painful, almost of protest. Then, reflecting with some friends, we reviewed several examples in the Bible, from Abraham to Job, without finding immediate answers. Certain events cannot be explained without faith. During those days I happened to read an illuminating text by Saint Leo the Great: “The Church is the Lord’s field that is clothed with an increasingly rich harvest, because the grains that fall one by one are reborn multiplied”. This is what it was! Only from this perspective could I accept the departure to Heaven of a dear friend. He fell like a large, ripe grain of wheat. I had to believe that from this a full and beautiful ear of wheat would be born.
(G. – Belgium)
Little Great Miracles
I was born in Brazil, but later lived for nine years in another Latin American country with sky-high inflation and widespread poverty that fuelled crime. One day, a friend came to me in tears because she had just been robbed of the only salary which would support her family, since her husband was unemployed and they had four children. What could I do? I simply tried to console her, suggesting that she forgive and pray for the thief’s conversion. But she reacted by saying she would never do that. “In that case,” I replied, “I will pray for him.” A few days later, that same friend came back to see me, but this time with a completely different expression and spirit: happily, she told me that the thief must truly have repented because he had left the bag he had stolen in a shop where she was known. And, astonishingly, her salary was still inside, nothing was missing.
(T.G.S.C. – Brazil)
In a Wheelchair
For a long time now, because of my rheumatoid arthritis, I have been living in a wheelchair. Between hospitalizations and operations, I must have spent three years of my life in hospital. Often, due to the excruciating pain, I find myself completely immobile, unable even to comb my hair or hold a glass. I have had to give up many things I cared about. However, I have a cheerful disposition and often respond to my illness with a touch of humour. Gradually, understanding the “wisdom of the cross” has helped me to accept suffering as the most sublime form of love and to offer my small drop especially for the people who suffer most, for the Church, for the unity for which Jesus prayed. Now I no longer ask God “Why?”, but only: “Help me, Lord”. I try not to burden others with my physical problems and I think that I succeed fairly well, so much so that they find me quite joyful. Everything works for the good if we are open to the love of God. In fact, everyone in our family felt they had to take a step forward. Even our children have matured quickly and have become more responsible.
(Branka – Croatia)
compiled by Maria Grazia Berretta
(taken from The Gospel of the Day, Città Nuova, year XII– no. 1 March-April 2026)
I am a volunteer of the Focolare Movement. Last summer, during a mountain trip with Anna and Toni, friends from our New Families group, it came up that for many years I had worked as a flight attendant for the Italian national airline. They immediately asked me if I knew a neighbour of theirs who had worked for the same company. As soon as I heard his name, I remembered him at once, even though 30 years had passed. They told me that his situation was very sad. Abandoned by his family and suffering from serious illnesses, he was living alone in a large, run-down house that was in urgent need of repairs. I went to visit him and I realized that I needed to lend a hand.
So, together with Toni and Anna, my wife Rita and others, we drew up an action plan. We began by fixing a French window with broken glass, thanks to the help of a carpenter friend. Then we installed a new door leading to the cellar and fixed the bathroom door that had been chewed by the dog. Next we fixed a sliding door that was letting in rain and we also worked on the terrace from which water was leaking into the house. We hired a cleaner, fixed the electrical system with the help of one of our volunteers who is an electrician and who, with the help of Toni also fixed the heating system. My wife added a subtle touch by decorating the courtyard with pots of cyclamens. In short, Cesare, that’s his name, now lives in more humane conditions and feels happy because he is surrounded by people who care for him. He had to go into hospital over the Christmas holidays and we visited regularly.
It’s a joy to know that through those simple gestures, he has regained his faith in humanity.
Christine Schneider-Heinz and Michael Heinz from Eggenburg, Lower Austria, received a short message from the Focolare community in Kiev: it expressed an urgent need for winter clothes for people in Ukraine. The couple have long been committed to helping refugees from different countries, organizing accommodation in their town and helping with initial needs. They immediately knew who to ask for help.
Friday, February 6 – even before morning coffee
The first messages and requests were sent out. The first went to a friend who works in the nearby shoe factory and who already had organised donations of shoe several times. By 10 am he confirmed 100 pairs of winter shoes, including transport to Eggenburg.
Friday 6 February – 11:30 am
A message was posted in their WhatsApp Status and sent to their friends in the vicinity: “bring warm clothes and shoes for people in Ukraine to the presbytery of the Catholic parish this evening, between 18:00-20:00”.
Friday, February 6 – 6:00 pm
Christine and Michael had already gone through their wardrobes and went to the presbytery with the first bags, equipped with labels in English and Ukrainian to pack and label everything.
What awaited them was incredible: an overwhelming display of solidarity and readiness to help. The Mayor had shared the appeal on the municipal app, the parish through the parish app and many people had spread the message through their Status and networks.
People arrived with single jackets, with full boxes, bags and cartons. Some brought items while others accepted them, sorted them, packed and labelled them. Young people from Kharkiv and Afghanistan, women from Kiev and Eggenburg worked side by side.
Some families returning directly from their ski holiday spontaneously brought their ski equipment and thermal clothing. A man took off his expensive down jacket, left it there and went home in his shirt sleeves. People who didn’t know each other stayed to help and everyone was happy to contribute. By 22:30 two minibuses were already loaded.
Saturday, February 7, early morning
The first two minibuses left for Vienna, where the material was delivered to the collection point. Meanwhile, the work of sorting, labelling and packing continued at the Eggenburg presbytery. At 14:00 a third minibus left for Vienna.
Donations came from all over and a variety of people participated: the current Mayor and two former Mayors, the pastoral assistant and a German teacher, an Afghan pizza chef and other shopkeepers, parents with their children and pensioners.
There was a deep sense of warmth between everyone: some people embraced while others shyly left their bags at the door and slipped away.
Someone wrote: “Something like this makes you hope that humanity can still change course. You could feel the willingness to help when we heard the news from a bombed and freezing Kiev. Then someone started to help and suddenly a little miracle happened”.
Saturday 7 February @ 5 p.m.
Over a ton of donations was sorted, packed, labelled, loaded and delivered to the collection point for Ukraine. 27 hours had passed since the appeal was received. The entrance to the presbytery was empty once more and back to normal. Was it a dream? No. But perhaps Eggenburg truly experienced a little miracle.
