Memories from those who knew the Cardinal

I had heard of Cardinal Van Thuan and had read his books, The Way to Hope and Road to Hope in Vietnamese, since I was a teenager. I knew of his family background and connection in relation to the ecclesial and political history of Vietnam. Nevertheless, I wasn’t as impressed by his prestigious background, connection, or position as I was by the realization that what he wrote obviously came from a person of deep prayer life, a person who had suffered much, but who was at peace with God, himself, and those around him, as well as those who persecuted him. When I came to know Cardinal Van Thuan personally in Rome from 1994 to 1996, I was very much struck by his humility and simplicity. Whenever I talked to him I always felt encouraged: you are doing good, God is very pleased with you. And he always ended the conversation by asking for my prayers as if he could not do without them. In him I found a friend and a father. I will miss him very much.
Sr. Miriam Trinitas, FSP

Since his uncle was Ngo Dinh Diem, the assassinated South Vietnamese president, Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan was known by every Vietnamese Catholic. However, it is not because of his family connections that the Vietnamese Catholic Community feels his loss. Through his sufferings, he offered his life as a gift of love for Christ and for the Church. Those who came into contact with him felt his true love for everyone. Looking back at the times I met him, I was so humbled by his attitude of serving others. Even in occasions where he was at the receiving end, he served others through his kindness, his jokes that made you laugh and feel so at ease around him. The Vietnamese Catholic Community is grieving a loving shepherd and a father.
Sr. Anna Truong, FSP

"Cardinal Thuan died this morning. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church tonight." At first, I didn’t know how to react to the news. I felt the need of consolation, and ran to the chapel, fell on my knees and sobbed. I was so angry with God because he had taken from me, from the Vietnamese youth, Vietnamese Catholic refugees, and the Vietnamese Catholic community our hero, our role model, and our spiritual father. What are we going to do without his loving guidance? I wanted God to tell me why. I wanted the answer now. As I was kneeling before the Eucharist, I remembered Cardinal Thuan once said, "It is Jesus you are supposed to be following not me. If he wills it, we will see each other again. It matters little if I or someone else is here; that is his business. Your business is to follow Jesus and to give the world your young smiling face."

This awakened me from my sadness at the thought of loosing my father figure. I wiped away my tears of sorrow and began to pray, "For the love of you, Jesus, I joyfully accept this cross. I don’t know exactly what your plans are. However, I know you love me. Come and embrace me, Jesus." Surprisingly, I felt my soul at peace.

All the fond memories of Cardinal Thuan rushed back to me. The President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, he was a very busy man, but he always had time for the Vietnamese Catholic Youth. Whenever he visited Orange County, he made one of his priorities to gather with us. In sunshine or in rain, thousands upon thousands of Vietnamese Catholic Youth came to be with him in the park, at the college auditorium, or at the Anaheim Convention Center. We listened to him preaching the Gospel with his usual sense of humor. We marveled at his incredible trust in God through his thirteen years of imprisonment. We witnessed his love for God, for his people, and for Mary, especially our Lady of Lavang. We shared with him our youthful fears and dreams. We told him our hopes. We shouted with joy whenever he offered us words of encouragement and told us we were entrusted with the future of the church and society. I was one of those in the huge crowd screaming at the top of my voice, "We love you!"

His words, his sharing, his fatherly and pastoral heart, and his humbleness always left a great impression, and filled our heart with inspiration, because he spoke to us in our own language: the language of youth. And the inspiration we received from him spread to our brothers and sisters through our studies, our work, and our lives as a younger generation of faith in a freed land.

Above all, Cardinal Thuan had a young heart. He often reminded us of who we truly are and where our heritage is. He once said, "You, this generation of Vietnamese Young Catholics and the future of our Church, should have only one focus: to follow Jesus. And not only must you follow Jesus, but you must live his lifestyle. In everything you do, begin with love and end with love. You will live through challenges, but don’t be discouraged when things don’t go well. Your energy will come from prayer and your food will be the Eucharist. Keep focused on Jesus. Give the world your contagious smiles. Your only present is Jesus. Remember you are Vietnamese. You have a homeland. It is Vietnam. It is a Vietnamese culture, a Vietnamese soul, Vietnamese customs, and Vietnamese traditions. You are Vietnamese Catholics. You ought to love your homeland. God teaches you and the Church shows you. I hope you will always have compassion toward our homeland. Happiness comes from fellowship between countrymen. Give all you have to serve and to love."

Yes, Cardinal Thuan, I love my homeland. I love a small land with more than four thousand years of history. I salute all the brave heroes who lived and died for its peace. I embrace the simplicity of its people. And I am proud to be a Vietnamese. I hold all my people close to my heart. No matter where I go, I will let it shine. I am sad to say goodbye to you, but I rejoice because I know you are now with Jesus. You are closer to me than I ever imagined. You will watch over me and intercede for me to God. I am sure that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit won’t ever stop laughing at your jokes. Heaven is filled with more laughter because you are there. Won’t you send some laughter my way too. You will be greatly missed, Cardinal Thuan.
Phivan Nguyen

I have fond memories of Cardinal Van Thuan. He was a very humble and holy man! An ordinary man who followed the way of true Love even in prison. He was a man who loved Christ and Mother Church. Truly, he was a man of God! How did I come to know this man of God? Well, I have heard of him through my parents. I came to know and love him as my Bishop and spiritual father through his writings and through the various encounters we had...in Boston at Cardinal Law's residence, in Rome from 1996-1997, and in Washington, DC for the last Eucharistic Congress that took place there. My best memory of him is when I was in Rome preparing for my Perpetual Profession. Since he was working in the Roman Curia as Vice President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, he has an office in Rome. I went to visit him a couple of times. He used to call me his "daughter." The reason why he said that was because in the course of our conversations, we came to a realization on how much we were talking about the place which we both loved so dearly...our mother country, Vietnam, and especially the Diocese of Nha Trang. He became the Bishop of Nha Trang in 1967 which was the diocese where I was born a year later. Since my dad was in the Navy, we moved a lot. So by the time we went back to Nha Trang in 1975, he was already in prison. The life of my Bishop and spiritual father reminds me of my Patron and father St Paul. He really touched the lives of many people around the world. Once I met an African priest in one of the parishes here in the Arlington Diocese. When he realized that I came from Vietnam, he told me that he was inspired by Cardinal Van Thuan's witness of life. And he said that the people in Africa called Cardinal Van Thuan "Uncle." As St Paul said 'I became all things to all people,’ so had Cardinal Van Thuan, a good bishop and father!

Sr Gioan Linh Nguyen, FSP