By Pierre Bélanger, SJ | Special collaboration

It’s a fact that in most countries of the world, vocations to the religious life are few and far between, given the social, cultural and religious context of today’s world. There is, however, one notable exception to this trend: Vietnam. The number of young Vietnamese entering the Jesuit novitiate each year - this is also the case in several other religious congregations of men and women - has been stable for a long time. There are usually over 15 novices.

Before entering, these novices from Vietnam undergo a highly structured and demanding process known as the candidacy programme. This usually lasts from two to four years, during which the young man interested in joining the Society of Jesus is accompanied not only by a Jesuit but also by a Jesuit community. Those taking part in the programme may be aged between 18 and 40, but in most cases, they are university students who are continuing their studies in whichever field they choose, while nurturing and strengthening their desire for religious life. Some have had a professional commitment for a few years before choosing to make a move towards religious life. In their final year, the candidates live together in a community, Our Lady of the Way, in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Some years before the pandemic, there were more than 150 candidates enrolled in the programme; now there are about 100, of whom about 30 are at the pre-novitiate stage, the year during which final discernment is made regarding entry to the novitiate. To tell us about this unique vocational experience, we interviewed the director, Fr Pham Duy Anh. Let’s hear what he has to say.

“Our team meets potential candidates to ascertain their inner motivations, their desire to live religious life and whether these motivations can be reconciled with the Ignatian way of life. Father Nicolás, our former General, explained what we should look for in candidates: a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, a good knowledge of oneself and the ability to establish genuine relationships with others, a keen sense of generosity, and a readiness to serve the Church’s mission.

The number of candidates has varied over the decades. Before the change of political regime in 1975, there were many admissions to the novitiate. Between 1975 and 2007, the conditions were not favourable and we discreetly received only three to five candidates each year. There was a liberalisation of the context from 2007 onwards, but it was after the election of Pope Francis in 2013 that the number of candidates was much larger. Many young people applied: the Pope has been an extraordinary promoter of vocations for us! Since the pandemic, however, there have been fewer candidates.

Who are these young people? Each one has his own story, family background and faith journey. The majority come from a traditional Catholic background in parishes and families. The family has a strong influence on their faith and way of life; it teaches them to pray, encourages the children to take part in parish activities and youth groups. The family is the “first seminary” for those who will enter religious life. At the same time, these young people must have a sense of transcendence; they must have the necessary sensitivity to hear God’s call to religious life.

In fact, the situation in Vietnam is like in many other parts of the world. If young people, even young Catholics, live in large modern cities, their priority is often less religion than finding a good job. Those who come from the countryside and have been involved in parish activities will find it easier to continue practising their faith even when they’re studying in the city... while at the same time suffering the lure of so many entertainment activities, social media and their mobile phone!

The fact remains that, although I can’t fully explain it, the Province of Vietnam has many vocations. God loves the Province of Vietnam! Religious values, from the traditional religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, are part of the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. In addition to the favourable context of the intense faith of Catholic families, we can say that the Vietnamese Jesuits, in general, are involved in the promotion of vocations. They give retreats to young people and are in regular contact with them, especially Catholic students. The best way to promote vocations is to be with young people, to live with them as we do with pre-novitiate candidates, for example, to be witnesses in their midst. It’s our lives that attract more people than advertising!”

In a forthcoming article, Pham Duy Ahn, the director of candidacy, will tell us about the challenges he and his team face in accompanying young people who wish to enter the Jesuit novitiate. Stay tuned.