Page 41 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

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as his Spiritual Son during the mass service, in his native
homeland. The blessing of a Spiritual Son led the bishop to a land
filled with countless numbers of trees and flowing rivers and
streams in every corner and direction. This land marked the start of
a religious movement for Vietnamese people that spread
throughout Vietnam in the sixteenth century and continues to play
an important role in Vietnamese society today. In 1524, Duarte
Coelho's Portuguese fleet reached Hội An in central Vietnam,
initially for trading purposes and also bringing Catholic missionaries
along. It was in 1533 that a missionary named I-nê-khu arrived in
Nam Định in northern Vietnam. It left a lasting impression on the
country's cultural and religious landscape and is a testament to the
enduring legacy of the faith.

Five hundred years later, Bishop Kevin W. Vann, the first
American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, continued the
enduring legacy of the faith by adopting Keith as his Spiritual Son in
Nam Dinh. Today, the people of Nam Dinh recognize Bishop Kevin
W. Vann as their Spiritual Father.

This first sign from God became evident during their visit
to Vietnam. This land is known for its devout people, where the
blood of martyrs flows like water. Nam Dinh is the root of
evangelization for the Vietnamese people, indicating that the
restoration of truth for a New Evangelization will start from the East
by divine will. The lush landscape flowing with rivers, streams, and
abundant trees corresponds to how the principles of the BFG
Handbook will nourish all who come to Jesus.