A solemn Thanksgiving Mass was held on June 30 at Phat Diem parish in Vietnam to honor Fr. Rôcô Nguyễn Duy’s 25 years of priesthood and his significant contributions to the development of Vietnamese Catholic sacred music.
The celebration brought together 11 bishops from dioceses including Bùi Chu, Hải Phòng, Phú Cường, Xuân Lộc, Đà Lạt, Mỹ Tho, and Hà Tĩnh. The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of Ho Chi Minh City and concelebrated by dozens of priests, including vicars general and seminary rectors. Religious men and women, musicians, and hundreds of lay faithful also took part in the liturgy.
Fr. Joseph Phạm Đình Đại, parish priest of Phat Diem, welcomed Fr. Rôcô as a “gifted priest-musician and beloved son of the parish” who had left a lasting impression on many through his faith-filled hymns.’
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Nguyễn Năng recalled that Fr. Rôcô and two classmates—Fr. Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Cường and Fr. Giacôbê Mai Phát Đạt—were ordained at the ages of 46, 48, and 50, respectively.
He noted the challenges of their delayed ordination and referenced a humorous song sung by seminarians at the time: “Con lom khom bước lên bàn thờ Chúa.”
Despite their late start, he said the three had lived their vocations with faithfulness and zeal. The archbishop invited the faithful to offer thanksgiving and pray that the priests continue their ministry in strength and peace.
In the homily, Bishop Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Khảm of Mỹ Tho reflected on Fr. Rôcô’s journey as one marked by fidelity and creativity. He said that while homilies may be forgotten, hymns often endure in people’s hearts and become powerful tools of evangelization.
He recounted how Fr. Rôcô, already over 40, had patiently returned to studies and devoted himself to both pastoral ministry and music, turning melodies into expressions of prayer and testimony.
Over the past 25 years, Fr. Rôcô has served not only through preaching and sacramental ministry but also through widely sung hymns such as “Xin cho con biết lắng nghe,” “Lạy Chúa từ nhân,” and “Con tưởng rằng.”
These songs have become part of the spiritual heritage of the Vietnamese Catholic Church and are also sung in non-Catholic communities.
Aside from composing, Fr. Rôcô has been involved in training liturgical musicians and has taught at seminaries, religious institutes, and formation houses.
He currently serves as Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Sacred Music under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam.
After Communion, Fr. Phaolô Vũ Đỗ Anh Khoa, Chancellor of the Bishop’s Office, announced the Apostolic Blessing granted by Pope Leo XIV to Fr. Rôcô. Archbishop Nguyễn Năng formally conferred the blessing.
The parish pastoral council, along with Fr. Rôcô’s family and the local faithful, extended their congratulations, thanking God for the priest’s 25 years of ministry as a pastor and composer in the Church.
Fr. Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Cường and Fr. Giacôbê Mai Phát Đạt were also recognized as fellow jubilarians. All three were presented with floral tributes as signs of gratitude and well wishes.
In his thanksgiving message, Fr. Rôcô recalled entering the St. Paul Minor Seminary in Xuân Lộc in 1966 and waiting for years before his ordination in the Jubilee Year 2000.
He acknowledged the support of clergy and mentors who accompanied him during his formation and ministry, including the late Fr. Phêrô Kim Long, Fr. Giuse Bùi Bằng Khấn, and Fr. Đa Minh Trần Ngọc Nhuần.
Fr. Rôcô shared: “Con luôn cảm nghiệm rằng: Thiên Chúa là Đấng của những điều bất ngờ. Và mỗi ngày, Ngài lại ban cho con những điều bất ngờ thật đẹp.” (“I have always felt that God is a God of surprises. And each day, He gives me such beautiful surprises.”)
He also offered congratulations to Fr. Ignatiô Hồ Văn Xuân on his 50th priestly anniversary and Fr. Phêrô Phạm Quốc Túy on his golden jubilee.
The liturgy concluded with thanksgiving and hymns composed by Fr. Rôcô, marking a milestone in his priestly and musical ministry.
