On 24 January, the Feast of St Francis de Sales, Fr Matthews took part in the Delegation’s Annual Salesian Family Day, meeting members of the SDB, FMA, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA and Salesian Past Pupils, and imparting his blessing. In his address, he echoed the Rector Major’s message, calling all to be humble servants in the spirit of Mary and Don Bosco, and engaged the assembly in an extended dialogue on the educational and pastoral challenges facing young people in Vietnam today.
The celebration continued with a Eucharistic concelebration presided over by Bishop Peter Nguyen Van De, SDB, who highlighted the relevance of the Rector Major’s Strenna for the mission in the North. The day concluded in a joyful atmosphere marked by preparations for the Lunar New Year.
A particularly significant moment for Fr Matthews was his meeting with the Salesians of the Northern Delegation, during which questions were raised regarding the future erection of the Delegation as a Vice‑Province. While acknowledging the vitality of the Salesian charism, strong vocational potential and growing self‑sustainability, he noted that certain processes still need to be completed, encouraging accountability, transparency and fidelity to the mission. The encounter renewed the confreres’ missionary commitment and concluded the feast with hope, as Fr Matthews continues his visit to other communities before travelling to southern Vietnam.
