Vietnam: Jesuit-Run ‘Sowers of Hope’ Combines Theology, Everyday Faith for Lay Catholics

Jesuits in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, launched a theology and spiritual formation program in 2024 to help lay Catholics deepen their faith and apply Christian values to family life, work and society.

The “Sowers of Hope” (SOH) program was established by Saint Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate, which belongs to the Jesuit Province of Vietnam, under the leadership of its director, Fr. Nguyễn Hai Tính, SJ.

Directed by Fr. Peter Vu Trung Hung, SJ, the program offers systematic theological and spiritual formation for Catholics aged 18 and older, including students, professionals, parents and laypeople involved in Church activities.

SOH seeks to help participants navigate the uncertainties and pressures of contemporary life through theological learning and reflection on everyday experiences.

“SOH can be seen as a place where lay people learn to become seeds of the Gospel, so that through the small acts of today, God may open new horizons of hope for tomorrow,” Fr. Hung said.

The curriculum covers Scripture, moral theology, the sacraments and Ignatian spirituality, the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

Participants can pursue formation in three areas: Mature Faith Living, Ignatian Spirituality and Social Transformation. These pathways aim to deepen their relationship with Christ and connect their faith with personal relationships, social responsibilities and service to others.

Augustinô Phạm Hoàng Minh, a participant, said the program had helped him mature in faith and become more attentive to his relationships.

“I feel myself growing more mature in my faith, being inspired, and gradually developing a passion for deeply exploring what I have learned. I am also learning how to live and listen better in my relationships with others,” he said.

The program emphasizes that theological formation should extend beyond classroom learning into daily life. Participants are encouraged to put their learning into practice through acts of charity, commitments to others and efforts to foster hope in their communities.

Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest urban center and a major economic hub, SOH offers lay Catholics an opportunity to reflect on their faith while responding to the demands of contemporary society.

Through theological study, spiritual growth and social engagement, the program aims to prepare lay Catholics to participate more actively in the Church’s mission and witness to the Gospel in Vietnamese society.