Introduce yourself

I am Vincent Nguyen Tien Nam, 42 years old, Salesian brother from the Salesian Don Bosco Vietnam Province (VIE). I was sent to do missionary work in the Salesian Don Bosco Chile Province (CIL) in the 150th missionary departure this year.

What inspired you to make this choice to become a missionary?

I was born into a poor family but with a good Catholic tradition. Although I did not have a vocation in mind from a young age, fortunately living in the educational environment of Salesian, I had a vocation when I grew up and asked to join the Congregation. During my time of service and training, I had the opportunity to meet many young people with all kinds of difficult circumstances; in addition, overseas missionaries, each time they returned to Vietnam to visit their families, shared about their missionary lives. I had a burning passion for missionary in many years. After thinking and praying, I decided to become an Ad Gentes missionary following Don Bosco.

Are you happy about the place where you are going? Have you any fears and inhibitions about the new place, culture and people?

Chile is a completely new country for me. But with a passionate heart like Don Bosco, I was fully aware that I was a small tool in God's hands, ready for God to use me for whatever He wanted of me. I will certainly have to face many difficulties and challenges, but I completely entrust and trust in God's hands.

How did your family members, friends and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation?

As soon as they knew that I intended to apply to become a new missionary this year, my mother and brothers tried to stop me because they knew the difficulties that Vietnamese brothers face in the missionary country: language barriers, cultural barriers, health... But before my strong decision, everyone respected and prayed for me every day.

What are your plans and dreams about your missionary life?

From the shared difficulties of my previous missionary brothers, I have made some decisions for myself: to improve my language, to open my heart and my mind to difficulties and challenges, to constantly learn and to improve the gifts God gives me to bring joy and peace of God to everyone; especially to the poor and abandoned youth - the main target of the mission that Don Bosco left for his sons.

Have you in mind any model of some great missionaries whose style and life you want to follow?

During my formation period, I heard and read about great examples who dared to give up their lives to bear witness to the Gospel (Saint Calisto Caravario, Saint Louis Vergsilia); especially the renunciation and dedication to service with a simple, humble and joyful spirit of the Saint Salesian Brother Artemide Zatti - the example I chose to dedicate myself to living like him.

How do you feel about the experience you are going through now doing the missionary course (Corso Germoglio) and being part of this 156th missionary expedition?

I feel so happy to be a small part of this mission. It was God Who called me, Don Bosco who guided me and the Congregation who trusted and created the conditions to help me have the necessary provisions to strongly commit myself to the mission that I have chosen.

What is your message for young people about missionary choice and vocation?

Today, young people are being corrupted and bound by many temptations: bad passions, material temptations, temptations of pleasure, spiritual crises leading to loss of faith in God, not living up to the values ​​of the Gospel. There is a need for living witnesses and witnesses among people, contributing to the missionary mission that Jesus Himself passed on to his apostles. Mission is not just about giving up to go to a far away place, but mission is also about witnessing through our daily lives to all the people we meet and serve. Be bold to become a witness of Jesus in today's world.

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