Welcome to a journey of hope with Bishop Joseph Trần Văn Toản of Long Xuyen in Vietnam. In his pastoral letter for May 2025, Bishop Toản invites the faithful to embrace hope and draw inspiration from the Virgin Mary, known as the “Woman of the Eucharist.”
By LiCAS News
Issued on April 30, the pastoral letter coincides with the Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 and commemorates the 65th anniversary of the Diocese of Long Xuyen. Bishop Toản encourages Catholics to offer “blossoms of hope” to Mary during the month of May, emphasizing a deepened devotion to the Eucharist.
Referring to Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Bishop Toản highlights Mary as the “Woman of the Eucharist,” emphasizing the connection between Mary’s role in giving human nature to Jesus and the Eucharist as His Body and Blood.
Mary’s life, from the Annunciation to Calvary and Pentecost, was marked by living out the Eucharistic mystery, offering hope for humanity’s salvation through Jesus and her obedience. The bishop outlines five ways the diocese will honor the Eucharist in May, following Mary’s example.
Throughout the month, the diocese will engage in Marian devotion and Eucharistic adoration, praying the Rosary before Mass and offering symbolic “flowers” to Mary, representing various aspects of Vietnamese culture and Christian heritage.
Activities such as floral offerings, pilgrimages, and charitable acts will be encouraged, with a focus on forming Eucharistic-centered families living the Beatitudes. Bishop Toản invites the faithful to reflect on the connection between Mary’s “Fiat” and believers’ “Amen” during Communion as expressions of faith and love.
As the People of God in Long Xuyen embark on this journey of hope, may they be accompanied by Mary, the Woman of the Eucharist.
This article was originally published on https://www.licas.news/. All rights reserved. Unauthorized republication by third parties is not permitted.
