With the desire to imbue Caritas spirituality into charitable activities in each community - where everyone is committed to serving, nearly 300 Caritas members of Da Lat Diocese gathered at Madagui Parish and Kim Phat Parish on May 8-9, 2025 to attend a meeting to convey the Will to Live in 2025-2026 with the theme: COMMUNITY IN THE MISSION OF CHARITIES OF CARITAS OF DA LAT DIOCESE
Directing the will to live
After the 2024 annual meeting, the Caritas Diocesan Executive Board agreed to deploy the annual Will to Live for the entire network from 2025 to 2030. This is an effort to make Caritas spirituality penetrate deeply into the life and charitable activities of each parish and diocese, while strengthening unity in thought and action among members. The will to live is not just a slogan, but a guideline to help each Caritas member dig deeper, live and act in the spirit of the Gospel.
Communion – not just an invitation
In the main sharing at the meeting, Director Father Gioan Bosco Hoang Van Chinh developed the theological and practical depth of this year's theme. He emphasized: "Communion is sharing, participating in and living in an intimate relationship with Christ and with each other." It is an invitation to return to the roots of Christian life, the inseparable bond between God - humans - and fellow human beings.
He also especially noted that: charity is not just a voluntary activity, but an essential mission of the Church and of each believer. In today's challenging social context, living the spirit of communion in the mission of charity is the most concrete and effective way to express Christian faith.
Listening – the first step to loving and serving
The spirit of communion requires the ability to listen deeply: to listen to God's voice in prayer, to listen to each other in service, and to listen to the silent pain of the poor. From that listening, Christians are invited to love and serve tirelessly. Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized that only when we have a kind heart can we truly be present to those who are forgotten and excluded in society.
Suggest – remind – take action
After the teachings of Father Director, Souer Nga Tam, in charge of the Diocesan Caritas network, organized a quiz with prizes to help participants review and deepen the content just shared. Through the multiple-choice format, the participants quickly answered the questions, showing a proactive spirit in absorbing the program's content.
In particular, this year's program is also associated with the Holy Year pilgrimage activity, with two destinations: Madagui Parish (for Bao Loc, Madagui and Di Linh parishes) and Kim Phat Parish (for Da Lat, Duc Trong, Da Tong, Don Duong parishes). This is a valuable opportunity for each Caritas member to both renew their spiritual life and become more connected in their journey of service.
The meeting ended in a spirit of joy, gratitude and hope. From the two pilgrimage parishes, the light of the spirit of communion and charity lit by God continues to spread to all regions in Da Lat Diocese.
May the Living Will of "Communion in the Mission of Charity" this year not only be a theme, but truly become a fire that warms the soul, arousing action and faith in Caritas members on the journey of love and service to the poor.
