From “God of my husband” to “my God”

This year, our community celebrated the Easter Vigil in one village of our parish called Naamsoot, far 103 km from where we are living, in Naan province, North of Thailand. We are present in this province since 2014.

Mostly, Naamsoot is a Hmong village, an ethnic group of Chinese descendants, which observes the religion of the ancestors. But, there is also a small group of Christians. In that Easter Vigil, this small Christian community was glad to welcome twelve new baptized, including three mothers, one girl and eight children. The accompaniment during more or less three years, to prepare for this great mystery of the regeneration of the sons of God, culminated in the three days retreat led by our sister Bete and a Thai catechist. Together with them, our sister Teresa, who accompanied them in this path, chose their baptismal names, taking into account the characteristics of each of them. They enjoyed this moment with real involvement and enthusiasm. The choir that animated the liturgy on Easter Vigil was the group of Catholic, Buddhist and traditional religions children together, which our sister Bete guides in human and spiritual formation.

According to Hmong culture, the wife must follow her husband's religion. The catechesis given to these mothers was also an opportunity to underline the freedom of choice, and how the leap of faith must be done in truth and sincere heart, in order to  pass from  “God of my husband” to “my God”. During this path, they understood that the adherence of faith is a grace but at the same time requires an involvement that leads to a personal experience of God. In fact, from the six women who began the preparation for the baptism, three of them felt not ready. So they decided some time before, to wait and continue their path.

We believe that women are the first educators and the first actresses in transmitting the fundamental values of life to their children. Therefore we believe that they will also transmit the faith and Christian values to their children. We thank God for this very significant moment for them and for all of us. Let us pray that the Light of Easter may always be lightning in their hearts and as the twelve apostles can be fervent witnesses and announcers of the Risen Christ. Let us accompany this small Christian community in prayer that, they can grow and to stand in the faith with frankness and fervor.