THE LASALLIAN SISTERS OF VIETNAM

He was born on July 19th, 1921, in Di Loan, Central Vietnam, and joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Nhatrang on June 29th, 1933. He made his first vows on February 2nd, 1940. After the scholasticate, he began his apostolic work at the junior noviciate in Nhatrang. Subsequent moves took him to Saigon and then to Mytho. The superiors gave him permission to pursue further studies at Lille, France, and then to follow the Second Noviciate in Rome from September 1953-June 1954.

When he returned to his country, he was appointed to the scholasticate in Nha Trang. In 1956, he was appointed sub Director and teacher at the important Taberd School in Saigon. In 1957, he was appointed Director of this same school. He remained for three years in this post. In 1960 he was appointed Visitor and led the District until 1966. It was while he was Visitor that he noticed the lack of devoted teachers in the lower classes. Moreover, several young ladies working at the Taberd School and other Brothers' schools, whom he met during his pastoral visits, told him of their wish to consecrate themselves to religious life based on Lasallian spirituality.

After spending the year 1967 in the school at Adran, he returned to Maithon, Saigon, to take care of a group of young ladies. In this he was helped by Sister Martha of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence, who had become the superior of the community and novice mistress. The archbishop of Saigon gave permission for the community to be established "ad experimentum". Brother Bernard was particularly attentive to the formation of the Sisters without, however, neglecting their academic and professional training. He sent them to the Catechetical Institute of the diocese of Saigon to do their religious studies.

In 1974, with the encouragement of the archbishop of Saigon, Paul Nguyen Van Binh, he took the first steps to secure the canonical establishement of the Congregation of the Lasallian Sisters as a diocesan congregation in Saigon. The events of 1975 prevented his taking any further steps. He sent various groups of his religious and aspirants to the United States, and he went there himself with the last group, and took up residence in the San Joaquin Memorial High School, Fresno, California.

He was elected by the Brothers of his District to represent them at the General Chapter of 1976.

Because of the difficulties he encountered in his work with the Lasallian Sisters, he preferred to withdraw from the Brothers' Institute and he applied for a dispensation in August 1976. At present, he is working as a married deacon in a Vietnamese parish in Denver, Colorado.

During his 9 years as Provincial (1960-1969), Brother Bernard Le Van Tam contacted possible candidates for the future congregation, and prepared them for the religious life by meetings, gatherings, talks, etc.

When his term as Visitor was over, he brought these aspirants together in a building belonging to a farm run by the Brothers of the Taberd Institution, in a subburb of Saigon, called Thi Nghe Mai Thon. It was here that the first community of the Lasallian Sisters was established. It had 20 or so members. Soon afterwards, the archbishop of Saigon gave permission for this group to establish itself as a religious community "ad experimentum".

Brother Michael Jacques, who at the time was Assistant General for the Brothers of Asia, approved this initiative and asked the Visitor of Saigon to appoint Brothers to help Brother Bernard Le Van Tam.

Brother Bernard set about the formation of the future religious with a team of Brothers who were well versed in spirituality, and with the help of Sister Martha, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence, who was the novice mistress and superior of the community.

A small school for young children was opened next to the convent. This was followed by the opening of another shcool in Quang Bien for the young children of Catholics who had fled from North Vietnam, following the division of the country into two parts by the Geneva Agreement of 1954. A third school was established in Dalat, which included a junior noviciate for aspirants.

Numbers increased. In 1975, the young Congregation numbered 30 temporarily professed Sisters, 9 novices, 21 postulants and 20 aspirants, spread over 3 communities: Mai Thon, Saigon; Quang Bien, Ho Nai; and Dalat.

In 1974, with the encouragement of the archbishop of Saigon, Brother Bernard applied for the Sisters to be officially recognized as a Congregation of Diocesan Right in Saigon.

The political events which overwhelmed the country (Saigon fell on April 30th 1975) prevented any further steps in this matter. They also caused the almost total dispersion of the young Congregation just as it was entering a period of rapid development. As a measure of prudence and safety, most of the Sisters returned to their families. The few groups that remained prepared to leave the country.

When calm returned, the community numbered 20 professed Sisters, 7 novices, 10 postulants and 9 aspirants.

* The years of upheaval (1975-1978)

This was the most difficult period both for the country and the Congregation. Cut off from all resources and from their usual source of support, the Brothers, who also were struggling to survice the storm, were obliged to divide the community into small groups in order to feed them.

In 1976, a community of 3 Sisters was established in Can Gio to help the parish priest. After a year, they returned to Saigon, as the parish priest could not feed them.

In 1977, a community of 6 Sisters was set up in Tan Cang. They lived on the Brothers' property and supported them with the produce of their gardening.

In that same year, 1977, a group of 6 Sisters went to work in the parish of Hoa Long, Sadec. This was the mission that the Sisters liked most, because they could exercise a more active aspostolate replacing the absent parish priest. They taught catechism, worked in the rice fields and made dresses which they sold to the Catholics. After 6 years, the superior brought the Sisters back to Saigon as she had noticed that their religious spirit had deteriorated.

The idea of dividing the Sisters up into small groups arose from the need to cater to their material needs. However, most of them were too young to live in small groups without the support of religious who were more experienced and established in their vocation.

Life in Mai Thon was not easy either. All the same. there were no lack of vocations. The noviciate remained open for three successive years, with 10 novices in 1976, 4 in 1977, and 5 in 1978. It was a consolation for the Sisters to see this sign of God's love.

In their free time, the Brothers gave valuable and effective help to the Sisters intellectually, morally and spiritually. Most of the work done by the Sisters was manual, but they were always hungry. Their daily diet consisted totally of potatoes.

In summary, during these three years, 1975-1978, spiritual exercises - morning and evening prayer, meditation, mass, rosary and spiritual reading - were made in common. The Sisters were given regular talks, had monthly days of recollection and made annual retreats shortened to 5 days. The noviciate functioned regularly: the novices studied Holy Scripture, took part (secretly) in sessions, renewed their vows, etc.

By way of apostolate, some Sisters gave evening courses, while others taught catechism (secretly).

Under strong pressure from the authorities, the Sisters offered their school "voluntarily" to the government. From that point onwards, the apostolate of the Sisters consisted in the witness of their consecrated lives, their example of faith and their trust in God, in midst of the people among whom they lived.

* The 1979 - 1988 period.

The situation had become more tense. Religious congregations were not tolerated. Searches and imprisonment undermined the morale of men and women religious.

The "family register" system enabled the secret State police to exercise almost total control over the movements of the population. Every family had to have its "family register" containing the names, date and place of birth, etc., of all its members. Any person found living with a family and whose name did not appear on the "family register" was suspect and liable to imprisonment. Practically speaking, it was impossible to change a name in this register, hence also the impossibility of moving religious from one house to another, or the admission of new recruits.

In the period 1979-1989, the Sisters had two communities: Mai Thon and Tinh Thuong, Honai. The community of Tinh Thuong had only two Sisters because of the "family register". In 1980, the Sisters left Tinh Thuong and worked in another place deeper in the forest. Here the land was more fertile. After teaching, the Sisters would devote themselves to agriculture, growing flowers, beans, maise, etc.

For ten years no new members were admitted. This was because of lack of funds and formation staff, and especially because of the "family register".

In 1988, the Sisters were able all the same to admit two candidates.

Having "voluntarily" given up their only apostolic centre, the Sisters retired to their convent where they were able to live a more intense community life and study and experience together the meaning of their vocation as Lasallian Sisters. More than one was assailed by doubts regarding the future and the choice of this religious vocation.

When the community was able to bring together more than a hundred young children from the neighboring parish, the Sisters were inspired with new courage and confidence in their teaching apostolate.

For seven years, the Sisters taught catechism in secret and prepared children to receive the sacrament of penance, Holy Eucharist and confirmation. And then the government told the Sisters to stop their "anti-revolutionary" activities.

In 1988, they were still teaching about 60 children. One or two Sisters worked with catechumens, and that year, there were 92 adult baptisms. Apart from these activities, the Sisters also took care of the old Brothers in the retirement home in Mai Thon and cooked for them. By this rather special apostolate, the Sisters wished the thank the Brothers for their family spirit with regard to the wider Lasallian family, for St. John Baptiste de La Salle was the common founder of both congregations. They offered their services voluntarily and joyfully.

Finances.

Up to the present moment, the Congregation has neither debts nor loans. The Sisters have learned a variety of skills, all manual, in accordance with the new policy of the country. The work they undertake never lasts long and they earn little. Planting rice and water plants and making mats barely provides for their most basic needs.

"A sow bought with money provided by the Brother bursar gave birth to half a dozen piglets. These were sold to make it possible to repair bicycles and buy some toilet articles for the community."

Other goods are very rare. Each year, the Sisters in California send us a number of boxes filled with presents, which enable us to replace the Sisters' linen and buy medicine for them. From time to time, the Brothers share with the Sisters the presents they have received from abroad.

* The years 1988 - 1989

With the help of Brother Visitor, the Sisters can follow courses in philosophy and Holy Scripture, follow catechetical courses in the major seminary, and at the same time pursue academic and professional studies.

Help from the Sisters in California and Thailand enable the Sisters at Mai Thon to follow a formation program that is sufficient for the time being. One of their most important projects is the reconstruction of their convent, an old dilapidated wooden building. The ground floor of this building is flooded twice a day to the level of the bed platforms by the tidal waters of the nearby river.

The Sisters in Thailand have not been able to visit the Sisters in Vietnam nor bring them help as frequently as they would have wished: suspicion, inverstigations, censorship do not encourage contact even by letter. In October 1988,Sister Mary Chindahandamrong was the first to brave the dangers, after an absence of 13 years (1975-1988).

In February, 1989, the Congregation held its first General Chapter. It was attended by Sister Theresa Sang from San Jose, California; by Sister Mary Ann Sunantha and Sister Mary Chindahandamrong from Bangkok, Thailand, and by Sisters from Mai Thon, Saigon, Vietnam. The Sisters opted officially for the Congregation of the Lasallian Sisters of Saigon. At the same time, they elected Sister Clara Vo Thi Hoai Chau as Superior General for 3 years (1989-1992).

In November 1989, Sister Chindahandamrong and Brother Joseph Van Khoi visited the Sisters in Mai Thon. Brother Maurice Nguyen Phu Trieu, Visitor of Saigon, and Brother Joseph Van Khoi obtained documents from the archbishop of Saigon, Mgr Paul Nguyen Van Binh, recognizing the community of Mai Thon as a diocesan congregation of the diocese of Saigon.

In June 1990, Sister Mary Ann brought the Bangkok contribution to Maithon for the reconstruction of the house.

The dream of the Lasallian Sisters of Mai Thon finally came true on September 23rd 1990 when their new convent was officially opened. Present for the occasion were many Brothers, reprsentatives from other religious congregations, parents and friends. Bishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh was abroad at the time, and the coadjutor, Bishop Nam, was unfortunately prevented from coming due to a car accident. Nonetheless, "the joy of the Sisters was very great and real at the sight of this fine building ready for them just in time to replace the old house that was eaten up by termites..."

For the Lasallian Sisters, the apostolate is of the greatest importance. They wish to open a nursery school for the young children of the area, and return to the apostolate they had before the "troubles," by using the new premises that replace the school they "voluntarily" offered to the powers of the day.

After the division of Vietnam into two parts by the Geneva Agreement in 1954, more than a million Catholics fled from North to South Vietnam. Many Sisters came from families that had wanted to flee from the totalitarian regime of the north in order to preserve their freedom to practice their religion and remain faithful to Christ and his Church.

If many members of the Lasallian family of Mai Thon chose to leave the country, it was for the same reasons: to remain free, keep their religion and, in this instance, to safeguard their vocation as Lasallian religious.

As a result of the events of 1975, 23 members of the Congregation of the Lasallian Sisters left Vietnam for the United States. Of these, 7 were professed, two were novices, and 11 were aspirants. One of the latter left soon after for France to join her parents.

* Moral Crisis.

The group as a whole left Vietnam without any preparation, and this led to much apprehension about the future, as well as suffering because of separation from family, parents, friends and country. This moral crisis made it difficult for the Sisters to adapt to their new situation with its different environment, language and culture. Many of the Sisters, novices and aspirants grew discouraged and left during the course of the first two years.

On their arrival in the United States, Bishop Donohue, of Fresno, offered them lodgings and facilities. The Brothers of the Christian Schools in San Francisco provided for their needs. After two years, the Sisters were self-sufficient. They remained in Fresno till 1980. Brother George Kohles, FSC, from the District of San Francisco, has been the contact up till now between the Sisters and the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

In 1979, at the request of Bishop Pierre Dumaine, auxiliary bishop of San Francisco, the Sisters moved to San Jose to look after the Vietnamese Catholics. Fr. Joseph Cao Phuong Ky, SS., has been their chaplain since 1980.

On arriving in San Jose, two Sisters immediately began to teach catechism and the Vietnamese language. The number of Vietnamese adults and children constantly increased and the need to teach these subjects became more and more urgent.

In 1982, as a result of a now regular income, the Sisters were able to buy a 4-roomed house for US$ 156,000, which they owned jointly with a female doctor. Three years later, in 1985, the Sisters became sole owners of the house and were US$ 70,000 in debt to the bank. The present value of the house is US$ 320,000.

* Apostolate, future plans and solutions.

The primary purpose of the Sisters is the education of young people, and especially of the poor. Their situation in the USA does not enable them to pursue their aim, and so the Sisters have become involved in charitable social work: hostels for elderly people, hospitals, Vietnamese parishes. In doing so, they have a dual aim: to be self-sufficient and to help the Sisters back in Vietnam, while living up to their ideals as Lasallian religious.

During the weekends, they visit Vietnamese families and refugees, and they take part in the activities of charitable associations like Cursillo, the Legion of Mary, etc.

Quite a number of girls show interest in the Congregation and seek to find out more about it. Unfortunately, the Sisters lack the means to satisfy their curiosity and interest: they lack the space and personnel needed to provide formation for the new recruits.

The Sisters are considering the following solutions :
  (1) Buying a neighboring house for US$ 350-370,000
  (2) or extending their own house at cost of US$ 100-150,000

Such a purchase or extension would enable the Sisters to accommodate new recruits, who would receive religious formation from a neighboring congregation. Formation in Lasallian spirituality would be provided by the Brothers.

The new house or extension could serve also to provide accommodation for Sisters from Vietnam and Thailand studying in the USA.

In 1991, Bishop Pierre Dumaine, of San Jose, wrote as follows to the Superior General, Brother John Johnston : "We in the Diocese of San Jose are especially happy to have your Brothers among the many religious communities present here. The Vietnamese Christian Brothers in our diocese perform an outstanding apostolic work of evangelization and formation for our Vietnamese Catholics. The catechetical programe is successful, involving hundreds of young people eager to learn more about their faith. Your Brothers work closely with the Lasallian Sisters and give a fine witness of collaborative ministry to the local Church." These words are a well deserved commendation for the Vietnamese Brothers, and also for the Vietnamese Sisters.

5.  The Community in Bangkok, Thailand

When Brother Bernard Le Van Tam was visitor of Saigon, he visited the Brothers' schools in the sub-District of Thailand on several occasions. He noted similar difficulties there: lack of religious teachers in the lower classesm, lack of personnel to see to the temporal side of things, and lack of Thai vocations.

The first group of Thai Lasallian Sisters has a rather special origin. Br. Joseph Van Khoi, who was auxiliary Visitor of the sub-District of Thailand at the time, was a friend of the family of Sister Anna Souvanna Kingkarn, a religious belonging to the diocesan Congregation of the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary. This religious had a brother who was a De La Salle Brother. She no doubt heard the Lasallian Sisters mentionned in conversation.

One day, she went to see the auxiliary Visitor to ask him to help her find another congregation and, if possible, the Congregation of the Lasallian Sisters. Her reasons for the change were a lack of satisfaction in her vocation and peace of mind.

In the meantime, in 1973, Brother Joseph Van Khoi took part in a meeting for the FSC Provincials of Southeast Asia in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. He explained the situation in which he found himself. Brother Michael, who was Assistant General for Asia at the time, and all the Provincials gave their approval and encouragement for the existence of Lasallian Sisters in Thailand. Brother Bruno Tran Van Bang, Visitor of Saigon, suggested that candidates be sent to Vietnam for their formation, after which they would return to their own country to help the Brothers in their apostolate.

On November 11th 1973, a group of 4 former Sisters of the diocesan Congregation of the Queenship of Mary arrived in Saigon, having obtained all the required authorizations. They were joined by a 5th candidate three weeks later. They began their noviciate at Mai Thon, and on December 26th 1974, they made their first vows in the noviciate chapel in Mai Thon.

After they returned to Bangkok on January 1st 1975, the new Lasallian Sisters were for all practical purposes cut off from their Mother House. News was rare and always came through third parties. Suspicion, censorship, investigations and fear in both countries made all contacts even by letter very difficult. The community in Bangkok was still trying to get on its feet and consolidate its position and could do nothing to help the Mother House.

In addition to this, the Bangkok Hierarchy was demanding documentary proof that the Lasallian Sisters really belonged to a congregation approved by the ecclesial authorities in Saigon.

The Lasallian Sisters of Bangkok received many suggestions in their predicament, and were encouraged and advised to link up with the Lasallian Guadalupanas Sisters of Mexico, who had been of Pontifical Right since 1976.

The Lasallian Sisters of Bangkok, however, did not wish to cut themselves off from their roots, and preferred to wait, even if this meant that their congregation would lack the privileges of the other officially approved religious congregations in Thailand.

In August 1988, Sister Mary Ann Sunantha and Brother Joseph Van Khoi attended the General Chapter of the De La Salle Sisters of Mexico, and asked if they would accept the Lasallian Sisters into their Mexican congregation. They received an affirmative answer.

The Thai Sisters decided to wait, however, as the general feeling among the Sisters of San Jose and Mai Thon was not in favor of the merger.

At the General Chapter held in Mai Thon, Saigon, in February 1989, the Thai Sisters joined their fellow Sisters in San Jose and Mai Thon in their joyful declaration that they wished to remain Lasallian Sisters in the Congregation of Lasallian Sisters of the diocese of Saigon, Vietnam.

Three of the first five Thai Lasallian Sisters remained faithful to their vocation and made perpetual vows.

In the Bangkok community, there are at present six Sisters, four of whom are perpetually professed, and two have temporary vows. Their novice, Miss Bernadette Than Ya Suetrong finished her canonical noviciate at the beginning of March 1991 at the noviciate of the Canossan Sisters in Singapore. She received the habit and made her first vows on April 7th of the same year in Bangkok.

Of the four aspirants who were living at the La Salle Nursery, two completed their secondary schooling at La Salle College, while the other two left at the beginning of March 1991 to begin their Lasallian postulancy with the Canossan Sisters in Singapore.

The Lasallian Sisters of Thailand run a nursery school for pre-school children aged between 1 and 3, and a kindergarten for children between 3 and 5. These departments are part of the Brothers' De La Salle College in Bangkok.

As a sort of reparation for the years 1975-1988, the Thai Sisters made four journeys to Vietnam, in 1988, 1989 and 1990. They provided as best they could for the needs of the Sisters in Mai Thon, in particular, with regard to the construction of the new Mother House convent.