Christmas Comes To Brothers and Sisters with Mental Illness

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Christmas is a special occasion for Catholics in particular and for the whole world in general. After Christmas Day December 25, Catholics have a long week called the Christmas octave to enjoy the long joy and live the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God in a special way during the liturgical year. On December 28 in the last octave of Christmas, Caritas Da Lat lived with brothers and sisters with mental illness at two social protection facilities in Trong Duc, Duc Trong district.

In the morning, all employees in the office and Father Paul Truong Minh Cao.SJ were present at Trong Duc Social Protection for women facility to prepare for the Christmas celebration program. Multi-colored balloons mixed with Christmas music tinkling under the blue sky and beautiful sunshine make the meeting more intimate. Somewhere there were waving arms, greetings and cute pictures between staff and patients. The fair was opened to serve Christmas with many interesting stalls and many attractive gifts. About 50 women participated in the games. Most of the women felt joyful, excited and participate enthusiastically. The morning program ended with lunch with the sisters.

In the afternoon, patients, facility owners and all staff at Trong Duc Social Protection for men facility welcomed Father John Bosco Hoang Van Chinh - Representative General of Da Lat Diocese and Director of Caritas Da Lat, Father Paul Truong Minh Cao S.J and Caritas Da Lat staffs came to attend the prayer performance and Mass in honor of the Holy innocent Martyr saints.

Nearly a month before Christmas, the patients (men group) were prepared for a prayer performance with the emphasis on the image of Saint Joseph in God's saving plan. With a smooth performance, the patients brought viewers many emotions such as the soldier's humor, the shepherd's innocence and the emotional scene of Mary and Joseph when being bullied by many people scorned. All show us the patients' introspection and meditation on the story of the baby Jesus' birth and the close image of the poor expressing a poor God. After the prayer performance was a Mass of thanksgiving and asking for peace that took place solemnly and fervently.

The meeting ended with a spontaneous cultural program between the patients and Caritas Da Lat staff. A day of living and working, although it is tiring at times, is really a complete joy.

 Tu Huy