Bla Village Feast Day

BLA VILLAGE FEAST DAY
April 16, 2026

I would like to share with you the great joy that our small ecclesial community has just received in the Mass of dedication for the new church of the Bla Outstation.

This joy flows from a deeper and greater joy, as the day of the church’s blessing extends the radiant light of the Easter Vigil and the Alleluia of the Easter Octave. It is not a fleeting happiness, but the joy of life that has triumphed over death, of hope that has overcome every darkness.

The Bla Outstation has passed through many trials and hardships. Since 1993, a few members of the local ethnic community, guided by a Kinh Catholic family, began to learn about the Catholic faith. With perseverance, they spent three to four years in catechetical formation before receiving Baptism and becoming children of God. The journey from their village to the place of catechesis was more than twenty kilometers, along paths lined with dense shrubs and forest. In the dry season, the road was dusty; in the rainy season, muddy and slippery. Their means of travel were often a worn-out bicycle or simply walking. Breakdowns were frequent; at times, they had no choice but to push their bicycles both ways.

These very hardships forged resilient hearts—steadfast in faith, even when summoned before local authorities for interrogation, threatened, pressured to renounce their faith, or subjected to forced labor. Mr. Arich once responded to the authorities: *“We cannot abandon our faith, because it lives within our hearts. Faith is not like clothing that one can take off at will. Therefore, we cannot renounce it.”* Rather than fear, their love for God grew ever stronger, urging them to courageously proclaim the Gospel to neighboring villages.

As time passed quietly, the seeds they had sown began to bear fruit. Each year, during the Easter Vigil, new members were reborn as children of the light, children of God. With the growing number of faithful came the need for a place to gather in prayer, to recite the Rosary, to share the Word of God, and to celebrate the Holy Mass. Thus, in 2010, a small chapel was established through the generosity and devotion of Mr. Philip Plâl. In reality, it was simply a modest room originally used for receiving guests. Gradually, it was expanded. Yet, like the spiritual house built by earlier generations, this physical structure also endured suffering: restrictions from authorities, prohibitions against expansion, and even acts of destruction. Eventually, moved by the steadfast faith and determination of the people, the authorities allowed religious activities to continue without further obstruction.

However, the small chapel could no longer meet the needs of the growing community. During the rainy season, it leaked; in the dry season, it became unbearably hot. The walls cracked and deteriorated, marked by time and hardship.

Recognizing the urgent need, the local fraternity leaders and the faithful joined hands—contributing both labor and resources—to build a new and worthy place of worship. With the guidance of the Provincial Minister, and the support of the Franciscan Province, the fraternity, benefactors, and local people, after eight months of dedicated effort, a new chapel was finally completed and blessed.

The Central Highlands is known for its sun and wind—and truly it is so. Under the intense heat of April, on the morning of Thursday, April 16, 2026, the solemn Mass was celebrated, presided over by Bishop Aloisio, Bishop of the Diocese of Kontum, together with the Vicar General, the Franciscan Provincial Minister, numerous priests, religious, and a large gathering of the faithful, relatives, and benefactors from many places. This vibrant communion was a beautiful sign of the local Church—united in faith and charity.

From early morning, people streamed in from all directions toward the new church, creating an atmosphere filled with joy, happiness, and sacred solemnity. The celebration was further enlivened by the welcoming sounds of gongs and traditional instruments, accompanied by the graceful *xoang* dance performed by Bahnar youth.

Before the Mass, at 8:00 a.m., the Provincial Minister delivered a profound reflection on the Franciscan heritage—the core values of Franciscan spirituality. These include a radical conversion born from two encounters: with the leper and with Christ crucified at San Damiano; a deep love for the Church and the Most Holy Eucharist; a life of fraternity with all people and creation; and the proclamation of the Gospel of peace. His reflection illuminated the meaning of this very event: that building a church is not merely a material endeavor, but one rooted in a life of poverty, humility, and fraternity, in communion with the Church and in contemplation of the Eucharistic Lord.

During the Mass, through prayer and the Bishop’s homily, the community was reminded that a church is not only a place for liturgical celebration, but a home of communion—a place where all can find peace and be nourished in faith. The joy of this dedication is not merely the completion of a building, but the beginning of a new journey: to build a living community, faithful to the Gospel, and a witness in the world.

Today’s joy is the joy of a people reborn: from silent sacrifices, from sweat and persevering prayer—now crystallized into a sacred place where God dwells among His people.

This event is also a personal reminder:

* To remain faithful to the vocation of “minority” within the Church.
* To stay close to the People of God, especially communities in need.
* To become an instrument of peace, contributing to the building up of the Church through a simple and dedicated life of service.

May God, through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, continue to bless the Bla community, the Bishop, priests, religious, benefactors, and all of us—so that each may become a “living stone” in the household of the Church.

Fr. Duc Tri, OFM

Source: OFMVN – ofmvn.org