Foyer Phat Diem va Lien Tu Si Roma

Foyer Phat Diem (FPD) and the Roman Friar Union (LTSR) 

(Extract proceedings LTSR 2018, pp. 33-34)

"Le moi est haissable", on the other hand, is afraid to bring the "boast", or "counsel", so if not promoted by the president himself, I will not dare to write the following lines. Without being able to refuse, I should embrace the motto "Reform old man Hoan Dong" and with the motto "old people do not lie", I beg to accept, "why say so" here.

Foyer released diem when it opened, in 1950 known as "Procura Vietnamita", to welcome all priests, seminarians and religious in need. Led by Bishop Le Huu Tu, Bishop Phat Diem (1945-1956), authorizing and promoting, father Tran Van Huy, an alumnus of Urbano missionary school set up the first house (half the current house) in 1948 and served as director until 1955 with the support of his brothers and sisters and the cooperation of the fathers of St. Peter the Apostle's school at the time. After Cha Huy went to Cha Nguyen Van TAT (director 1958-1961), then Cha Tran Unite executive.

In 1964 father Vu Kim Dien was sent, extended more than twice as much( as the porch at), refurbished and administered until his death in 1985. In these 21 years, Father Dien with collaborators, especially the Sisters of the Order Of The Cross Phat Diem Go Vap has shown the perhaps most important work in the FPD - LTSR contact.  As the only" base " of the Vietnamese Church in Rome, many contacts of Vietnamese clergy at home as well as overseas with Rome often use this site and, therefore, Vietnamese priests in Rome use it as a meeting place.

The first important gathering took place in 1950, when the Vietnamese bishops traveled together to Rome for the Jubilee on the occasion of Pope Pio XII proclaiming the creed of Mary the soul and body ascended To Heaven, 01.11.1950. Then the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). This is followed by the occasions of the Vietnamese Bishops ' Conference as visita ad Limina every 5 years and other special meetings and organizations requiring the presence of bishops or superiors. And also pilgrimage groups and prayers, along with special occasions of the House. Back then LTSR had few people, under 70 members, so the FPD had enough room for tolerance: mass, talk and friendly "Agapê" meals. Since there is a residence activity, it is easy to use when needed, not to enter expensive hotels in Rome.

In addition, the House is very pleased to welcome in the long or short time Ngo Dinh Thuc archbishop in exile in Rome after 02.11.1963, the Cardinals such as Khue, Trinh Van can, Pham Dinh Chan, Pham Minh man, Nguyen Van Nhon, Ngo Quang Kiet Archbishop, especially Nguyen Van Thuan (from 1991 to 1994) before becoming Cardinals and entering the House of the Holy See, Tran Ngoc Thu and Tran Van Can (two years later, he worked at the Vatican.) By Your Name, I am only referring to the great contact of LTSR with you here.

But more specifically, the visit of Pope John Paul II, on June 22, 1980, there is the Synod and LTSR present that considers this as his home.

"Unreally unbelievably religious" and constantly aware of the instruction of Archbishop Nguyen Van Binh, Archbishop of Saigon, the sponsor of the FPD from 1967 until 1980 when Bishop Bui Chu Tao, Bishop Phat Diem came to Rome "priest we meet, there should be a meal: it will be easy to promote fraternity", so Father Dien, director, as well as those who continue to rejoice in keeping this precious "precepts".

Come here, though I want to be humble, but I think it is worth mentioning some humble servants with mediocre service, because my religion also loves it, so that it is less fun to read. I mean Mrs. Tran Thi Bich Hue, 33 years as a FPD Cook, welcomed countless diners of all sizes, from Cardinal Agnelo Rossi, Minister of evangelism, down, and many parties to this house, with the good cooperation of Mother BT Phan Thi Huy and sisters. Meals with LTSR are usually the most elaborate, prepared all week in advance, especially with pickles, leafy vegetables, fruit cakes and bundles. A special contributor is Father Thien, Deputy Director, young, healthy and good driver:he was busy with his father's clothes accompanying her to the Vittorio market to buy vegetables and fish and rice... The other time, after paying the fruit safes and refusing to get into the car, the saleswoman was irritated: "Hey, Ma'am, say Mr. suo Marito (Suo Marito) took it right away!". The two blushed customers obeyed immediately and turned away immediately... Talk about eating like that, but please don't just understand the narrow meaning, lest it be wicked! LTSR members are always selected from the Vietnamese dioceses and religious orders should carry many beautiful high qualities. You use this place to celebrate Thanksgiving, retreat year, internal meetings, special celebrations such as the opening ceremony of the hands of priests, vows of Congregation, even the episcopal office as Tran Dinh Tu dated 06.01.1999 .

After his father Vu Van Thien served as director (1985-2024), for 26 years he also followed that path, especially during his time as chairman of LTSR. Nguyen Van Phuong of the Ministry of evangelism, who has been in Rome for a long time as do do Khac (34 years) and as chairman of many courses has publicly voiced in the funeral of do Thien (04.01.2012): "Monsignor Thien has turned this headquarters into a narrow Vietnamese homeland, where the brothers and Sisters of Roma and the Vietnamese laity are living intimately and happily together on the occasion of the New Year, the ceremony of opening the hands of priests, or the occasion of the vows of the order, etc.v..."

Today, Bishop Nguyen Nang, GM Phat Diem since 2009, the host, always enthusiastically urged and wished "joy", the FPD service team vowed to continue the good work of the predecessors very lovely. Currently the LTSR membership is over 200 per capita; the chapel and rice room are too tight, intolerable; but fortunately, there is a large courtyard and when the weather is convenient, LTSR brothers and sisters can reunite joyfully under the arch of the old tree, between Our Lady Of Lourdes Lake and the Holy Well of Joseph, jubilant together as when Nguyen Van Hoa presided over the 50th anniversary of LTSR on 13.05.2007 and Bui Van Dai received Pallium on 29.06.2014.

Although it is not possible to welcome the entire LTSR Association in large numbers, and if not hindered by the compulsory activities of the residence, the FPD still traditionally contributes to the culinary care of siblings, so that LTSR is always a warm family in the Universal Church capital.

In the near future, looking forward to the Vietnamese Bishops ' Conference as Visita ad Limina, it has been more than 7 years: FPD house we are eagerly waiting for LTSR brothers and sisters to visit, individually, in groups or in the whole assembly, so that this house is always full of true FOYER (nest) colors.

Bishop Joseph Nguyen Nang (middle), landlord, LTSR member 1998-2002 with foyer Phat Diem service staff. (Photo 11.06.2017)