Sunday, 20 March, was a special day; Brother Peter Anh Vu Nguyen made his Perpetual Profession, in front of a packed crowd at the newly built Youth and Recreational centre in Suva Fiji.

Also present was Fr. Provincial (William Matthews), the Provincial councillors, Fr. Simon Mani (Rector of Pacific Regional Seminary) and the dean of students (Fr. Donald Maldari), parishioners, friends from the seminary together with friends and families from Vietnam.

Bro. Peter Anh Vu is from Vietnam, and came to the Pacific in 2018 for his Practical Training in Samoa. He came to Fiji in 2020 for his theological studies at the Pacific Regional Seminary.

In his homily, Father William encouraged Brother Anh Vu to strive “to make yourself loved” as a missionary in the Pacific and wherever he may be sent.

The people, especially many young people, were very moved to witness this young missionary from Vietnam give his life as a Salesian of Don Bosco in the Pacific. One parishioner commented, “I wish the very best for Br. Peter Anh Vu in his missionary presence in the Pacific.”

During the reception, the leading members of the parish congratulated Br. Anh Vu with the traditional kava ceremony and speeches, while the Parish Youth Group presented cultural dances from the Pacific islands of Rotuma, Kiribati, Fiji and India.

Indeed, it was a special weekend - the day before saw the diaconate ordination of Deacon Peter Minh Duc Nguyen in a packed youth and educational centre.

Congratulations, Brothers! We hope you continue to impress with all you achieve while you complete your studies at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva.

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2022 edition of the Salesian Bulletin, which is available here!