(Two lay faithful from Vietnam, Jeanne D’Arc Nguyen Thi Kim Anh and her husband, Joseph Bui Van Son, took part in the Great Pilgrimage of Hope held in Penang. Both serve as catechists in the Diocese of Nha Trang, assisting in formation programs at the Major Seminary and with various Religious Congregations. Jeanne D’Arc, a university professor and professional coordinator, shares in this article her experience of the GPH and how it has inspired the couple to work with renewed vigor and passion for mission. – Editor)
With a spirit of humility and deep gratitude, we have safely returned home from the Great Pilgrimage of Hope 2025 (GPH). Truly, human words are insufficient to describe the profound spiritual stirring and deep appreciation for the graces the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us during this “Grand Pilgrimage of Hope.”
This was not merely a conference but a profound experience of Faith, where the Church in Asia collectively practiced Synodality in its mission of Evangelization.
The Asian Church: Tent of Meeting
The theme perfectly encapsulated the theological identity of the Church: we are the “Pilgrim People of God.” We felt intensely that Hope is not a vague, optimistic emotion, but a Person, Jesus Christ (1 Tim 1:1).
What resonated most deeply within us during the four days of the Pilgrimage was not the numbers or the grandeur of the activities, but the presence of a truly diverse Church reflecting the richness of Asian cultures and religions.
Listening to the sharings and sitting around the Round Table with bishops, priests, religious, and young laity from over 28 countries, we witnessed how all hierarchical and linguistic barriers were set aside to find communion in Christ. The Asian Church became a common Tent of Meeting, where everyone shared their lived experience of Faith rather than mere theory. This Synodality transformed AMC 2025 into an experience of Evangelization expressed through fraternal love.
We were invited to look upon Asia not as a “land to be conquered,” but as a home, in the spirit of the FABC, where the “Seeds of the Word” are already present within its cultures and religions. This instilled in us the urgency to proclaim the Gospel through sincere dialogue, humility, and respect, rather than dogmatism or imposition.
Rite of Sending Forth
All the activities of the Pilgrimage found their culmination in the Rite of Sending Forth on the final day.
When a Thai bishop performed this rite at our Round Table, it became a moment of grace, deeply affirming the role of the laity:
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16)
This rite reaffirmed the sacramental identity of the lay vocation:
Rooted in the Sacraments: We do not claim this mission for ourselves; we are chosen and sent by Christ Himself through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The rite dispelled the notion that mission belongs only to the clergy or religious; it is the universal responsibility and essence of every Christian.
From the Round Table to the World: Being laid hands on and sent forth by a bishop within a synodal Round Table setting created a powerful impulse: the Gospel must be carried from the united community to the divided world.
Missionary Disciples: We are called to become Missionary Disciples, those who continue learning (disciples) and who carry forth Hope (missionaries), as the 2025 Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam exhorts. Our proclamation is not merely in eloquent preaching, but in our family life, our justice and charity in the workplace, and our presence in the community.
The Desire of the Sent Disciple
Returning to Vietnam, our beloved homeland, we carry with us not just memories, but a soul transformed by the Holy Spirit.
We earnestly pray to fulfill the role of the Sent Disciple with the spirit of:
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Spirituality of Presence: We do not aspire to change the world through grand projects, but through the humble presence of Christ in our ordinary lives. We vow to witness the Gospel of Hope through fidelity in daily tasks, patient love in marriage, and deep empathy for those less fortunate.
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Missionary Asceticism: Amid the challenging social context of Vietnam and Asia, we embrace a missionary asceticism, not physical mortification, but the asceticism of listening, timely silence, and choosing service over being served.
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The Asian Synodal Heartbeat: We pray that the heartbeat of the Church in Vietnam will resonate with the heartbeat of the Church in Asia: “Walking Together” and “Proclaiming the Gospel Together.” Our mission is to contribute, even in small ways, to making the Hope of Christ visible in every corner of our nation.
We pray that, with the fire of the Holy Spirit received at AMC 2025, the united and committed lives of every layperson may become a “Living Gospel,” full of persuasive power for all people.
