The Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno has taken an important and decisive step in its goal of expanding in Asia by formally establishing itself in Vietnam.
This initiative responds to the directives of the last General Chapter and marks a crucial moment in the history of the Order.
After many meetings, studies and deliberations, on September 30, 2023, two friars left for Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese capital, to officially start the new community.
After a long journey, they were welcomed by local friends, who welcomed them and guided them to their final destination, the city of Bien Hoa, located in the province of Đồng Nai, in the southwest of the country .
“A perfect haven for the community.”
One of the main challenges facing religious congregations in Vietnam is finding suitable accommodation, given the high demand and complex visa requirements in the country.
However, as the friars themselves have explained, divine providence intervened: A friend of the 
Order generously offered an abandoned hotel as a temporary residence for the friars.
Prior to their arrival, the owner completely renovated the structure, and it is proving to be a perfect refuge for the community.
Visit of the Prior General
They also received a visit from the Prior General, Fr. Miguel Angel HernandezAnthony, who learned about the beginnings of the mission in the country.
During his stay, the owner of the hotel, Anthony, shared with Fr.
Michelangelo that he had been praying to find a purpose for his property, until, guided by providence, he decided to put it at the service of the Augustinian Recollect mission.
Official recognition: “agents of peace and evangelization”.
A few weeks later, in October 2023, the friars met with the bishop of the city’s diocese to discuss their desire to establish an Augustinian Recollect presence in the region.
The meeting concluded positively, with the bishop granting provisional approval for three years, which was later unexpectedly reduced to three months.
This allowed the community to integrate more quickly into the diocese.
Finally, on December 30, 2023, the community was officially accepted and recognized in the diocese.
Today, eight months later, the Augustinian Recollect community in Bien Hoa is establishing itself as a beacon of spirituality and service in the region and in a country where less than 7% of the total population is Catholic.
The friars continue to adapt and learn from the Vietnamese culture, while consolidating their role as agents of peace and evangelization in this new mission land.
