By Sister Helen Tereba CSFN
Who could forget Robin Williams' unforgettable greeting in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam!? For five weeks, those famous words echoed in my mind each morning at around 4am as another rewarding day of teaching began.
This year, I once again had the privilege of joining four dedicated teachers to present an English Language Program at St Joseph Seminary in Xuan Lộc Diocese, Long Khánh, Vietnam. What began as an invitation has become a ministry that I now eagerly anticipate each year.
Sr Helen Tereba CSFN (centre, right) with seminarians in Vietnam. PHOTO: Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth website.
My involvement first began in 2018 when I was inspired by the enthusiasm of a close friend who had been teaching English at the seminary for several years. Her love for the work was infectious, and I soon discovered why. Each year my own appreciation deepens as I encounter young men whose desire to become faithful priests is matched by their determination to master English. They recognise that the Church today is universal and that the ability to communicate in English will enable them to serve God's people wherever their vocation may lead.
The English Language Program, sponsored by Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is conducted annually during June and July for Philosophy students. This year, 105 seminarians participated. The course is offered at three levels, allowing students to develop their English skills at their own pace. Since I have no knowledge of Vietnamese, I was delighted to be assigned to a class of thirty advanced students, where English became our common language. Life at the seminary follows a rhythm that beautifully integrates prayer, study, work and community. Each day begins with Morning Prayer, followed by meditation and Mass at 5:30 am, breakfast at 6:30 am, and classes from 7:30 am until 4:10 pm. It is a demanding schedule, yet it is lived with joy, discipline and remarkable generosity of spirit. The prescribed English curriculum provides an excellent framework, but I also enjoy introducing projects that encourage students to think critically and communicate confidently.
Over the years, students have researched modern saints, dramatised Gospel parables, developed business proposals, debated environmental issues and the impact of artificial intelligence, and reflected on contemporary Church teaching. These activities not only strengthen their language skills but also encourage creativity, collaboration and thoughtful engagement with the world they will one day serve as priests.
Weekends offer a change of pace. Many students return home to spend precious time with their families, while those whose homes are far away enjoy the companionship of fellow seminarians. The teachers are also able to discover something of Vietnam's rich history and culture. Visits to Notre Dame Cathedral and the vibrant Bến Thành Market in Ho Chi Minh City offer fascinating insights into life and traditions in Vietnam. Whenever time permits, we also enjoy a weekend at Mũi Né, a beautiful coastal town in Bình Thuận Province, where the South China Sea provides a welcome opportunity for rest and renewal. Perhaps the most striking impression I carry home each year is the vitality of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. Although Catholics comprise only about 7.5 per cent of the population, churches are filled with worshippers, Sunday liturgies are celebrated with deep reverence, and St Joseph Seminary is home to approximately 400 seminarians. These visible signs of faith speak eloquently of a Church that continues to grow in hope and commitment despite its minority status.
People often ask why I keep returning to Vietnam each year. The answer is found not in the places I visit but in the people I meet.
The seminarians' deep commitment to their vocation, their humility, their respect for one another, and their genuine gratitude for every opportunity to learn are deeply inspiring. Their eagerness reminds me that formation is not simply about acquiring knowledge; it is about becoming the person God calls us to be.
As teachers, we arrive hoping to share our knowledge of the English language. Yet, in many ways, we leave having received far more than we have given. The seminarians teach us through their quiet faith, perseverance, hospitality, and joyful witness to Christ. They remind us that the Gospel transcends language, culture and nationality, drawing people together in one family of faith. Every journey to Vietnam strengthens my conviction that education is itself a ministry and that every classroom can become a place of encounter. Through simple conversations, shared laughter and mutual respect, barriers disappear, friendships are formed, and lives are quietly enriched.
I return home each year profoundly grateful—for the privilege of teaching, for the generous welcome of the seminary staff, and for the opportunity to witness a vibrant Church preparing a new generation of priests for the service of God's people. It is a mission that has enriched my own faith as much as it has shaped my students' command of English, and one that I hope will continue for many years to come. It is an honour to be a small part of their journey.
This article was published on the website of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.