Some speak of megatrends, others of growing immigration, and the bishop of a holy problem. Be that as it may, the churches are full—even when we gather in the “big church.”
This year’s diocesan celebration was held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in the medieval Church of St. Lawrence in Lohja. The highlight of the day was the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon John Chien Nguyen, who had been serving in Tampere. Almost 700 parishioners, friends, and relatives of Fr. Chien filled the church, with every seat occupied and people standing in the aisles and vestibule throughout the more than two-hour-long Mass.
The diocesan celebration Mass traditionally marks the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The liturgy unfolded flawlessly, with music alternating between the Vietnamese choir and the choir conducted by Ann-Catrin Weckström, while Pilvi Listo-Tervaportti and Fr. Martti Savijoki SCJ took turns at the organ. About twenty priests, one deacon, and an equal number of altar servers from different parishes participated.
A new priest “to sanctify God’s people and to offer sacrifice to God”
The ordination always begins after the Gospel. As tradition demands, the hymn to the Holy Spirit was first sung. The rite of ordination is straightforward: the candidate is presented, followed by the bishop’s homily—delivered this time not only in Finnish and Swedish, but also in English and even a little Vietnamese.
In his homily, the bishop recalled that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a feast of hope and consolation, reminding us that death is not the end but the beginning of resurrection glory. He connected Mary’s “yes” to God with the essence of priesthood, stressing that the priest—like Mary—carries Christ into the world and remains faithful in prayer and amid suffering. He prayed especially for the soon-to-be Fr. Chien, that his heart would be like Mary’s: obedient, pure, and open to the Holy Spirit. He urged prayers for all priests and for new vocations to serve the Church in Finland, so that pastors might be raised up who, like Mary, live in prayer, serve humbly, and remain close to Christ both in glory and at the Cross.
After the homily, the candidate made his promises, and the bishop concluded: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to completion.” Then followed the Litany of the Saints, during which the ordinand lay prostrate before the altar while the litany was sung: “Sancti Martyres Vietnamienses—orate pro nobis. / Holy Martyrs of Vietnam—pray for us. … Bless and sanctify and consecrate this chosen one—we beseech you, hear us.”
After the litany, the bishop and all priests one by one laid their hands upon the candidate’s head. The ordination prayer followed, in which the bishop prayed: “Grant, we pray, almighty Father, to this your servant the dignity of the Priesthood; renew deep within him the Spirit of holiness; may he hold the office second in order, received from you, O God, and by the example of his manner of life may he inspire right conduct.”
After the prayer, Fr. Chien was vested with the stole and chasuble—always a moment of great joy. Kneeling before the bishop, his hands were anointed with sacred chrism to “sanctify the Christian people and offer sacrifice to God.” Finally, the bishop handed him the paten and chalice for the celebration of the Eucharist and offered him a heartfelt sign of peace.
In his concluding words, Fr. Chien expressed his thanks in Finnish, English, and Vietnamese, bringing the solemn Mass of more than two hours to a joyful close.
A joyful and windy celebration
The congregation then made their way to nearby Vivamo, where a delicious lunch and a rich program awaited: a Vietnamese dance performance, songs from the Neocatechumenal Way, a presentation on Léon Dehon and the lay Dehonians by Fr. Martti Savijoki SCJ and Florence Schmitt, and a panel discussion on synodality and its next steps led by Siyan Zhuang, with contributions from Alpo Penttinen, Anna-Riina Hakala, Juho Sankamo, Eeva Vitikka-Annala, and Fr. Matthew Azzopardi. Children had their own activities as well.
As the schedule stretched, the common devotion of the diocesan celebration began almost unannounced. The faithful processed toward the tip of the Vivamo peninsula carrying a statue of Our Lady, praying the Litany of Blessed Hemming and then the rosary. At the conclusion of the rosary, Salve Regina was sung—just as a strong August storm wind swept across the lake and over the peninsula. The bishop gave the final blessing while dodging raindrops “before the world ends.” Thankfully, it did not end. On the contrary, as the events and experiences of the day are pondered, what remains foremost in the heart is gratitude.
Marko Tervaportti