The Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi: A Gospel witness to human dignity

By Ngoc Nguyen

In contemporary Vietnam, where people are increasingly focused on material values and a desire to quickly obtain wealth, there is a decline in concern for the common good and recognition of human dignity as selfish individualism causes the marginalization of those who stand in the way of these goals.

The most vulnerable include the disabled and elderly, who are seen as a useless burden for society, or unwanted babies—especially female children in a society that values male offspring—and the poor ethnic minorities in the remote areas of Vietnam.

Alternatively, the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi (LHC) recognize the intrinsic human dignity of all people, no matter their position or situation in society. Thus, the sisters work tirelessly to recognize and respect the dignity of the poor, marginalized, elderly, and defenseless.

The Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi taking care of the elderly

Teaching to take care of themselves

The LHC sisters contribute to relieving the pain of the marginalized and respecting human dignity by opening a specialized community called the House of Love.

In this house, the sisters welcome those who have difficult lives and situations, such as the helpless elderly and people with disabilities such as blindness, neurological problems, and even paralysis in special circumstances.

Those who are welcomed to the House of Love are cared for by the sisters. For Sr. Phuong Nguyen, who works at the Ke Nghe’s House of Love, people who come to the house face difficult situations or are unable to be cared for by their families. The family members entrust their child or relative to the sisters.

Here, the sisters patiently teach them how to take care of themselves as much as possible. Living in this house, for those who are mobile, the sisters encourage them to participate in household activities such as daily mass, prepare meals, make handmade items, and homemade snacks to sell.

These activities not only help children to grow spiritually but also help them to become integrated into communal life, while experiencing God’s love, they also acknowledge that they are still a benefit to the community and others who live in this house.

Moreover, to promote solidarity and develop a culture of love and care for those who live with them in the House of Love, the sisters encourage them to help others. For example, people who have at least one good hand can help the paralytics, and those who can walk will help their friends who are confined to wheelchairs.

From these small gestures, the people in the House of Love know that they are loved, cared for, and are recognized as useful people within their small community.

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Supporting the poor

The sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi also provide healthcare for the poor. The Chi Long community is one of the branches supported by the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi.

Here, the sisters organize days for health check-ups and offer free medicine for local patients without distinguishing between Catholics and non-Catholics.

They are joined by local doctors and supported by benefactors who provide their resources and time for these efforts. Additionally, every Saturday, the sisters welcome the elderly and disabled who do not have relatives to care for them to have free health check-ups and receive medicines, regardless of who they are.

This outreach is not limited to medical support but also includes an invitation to join the sisters who serve them lunch. The sisters faithfully visit the elderly in the village and nearby areas. These programs are crucial for many poor people. Without these programs, many people in these areas “would not dare to become sick.”

The extended heart of Jesus

Following Jesus’ footsteps, the LHC sisters have a responsibility to become the extended hands, hearts, minds, mouth, and feet of Jesus to continue His salvific mission.

These ministries are an expression of the preferential option for the poor, sharing, love, charity, and especially respect for human dignity. The sisters’ recognition of every person’s intrinsic dignity is the foundation for the meaningful ministries which allow the sisters to support and relieve the pain of our brothers and sisters.

The sisters’ mission is to exalt the dignity of the vulnerable in society and in the church as well as fulfilling the teaching of the congregation’s founder, Bishop Lambert de la Motte, that “… [The Sisters of] The Lovers of the Holy Cross are to bear the compassionate heart and become the visible hands of Christ crucified…To share the suffering of her people and to comfort them.”

However, the sisters cannot do this ministry without the collaboration of their many benefactors in Vietnam and abroad.

These ministries are how the sisters respond to Jesus’ command to love one another, recognize God’s presence in every person and grow in relationship with Christ. Jesus reminds us that what we do for the least, we do it to Him.