Each of its names is linked to a landmark of time. Each
landmark of time bears much significance. More than 150 years ago, in
1852, Reverend Father St. An (Joseph Diaz Sanjurjo), from Spain, when
starting his mission, established an orphanage named Duc Anh Home in Xuan
Ngoc Village, Xuan Truong District, Nam Dinh Province, about 120 km
Southeast of Hanoi,to nurture and educate the desolate, orphaned and
disabled children of under 12 years old, regardless of their religions.
Since then, his successors have continued consolidating and expanding the
orphanage.
It was a happy day when all
children from Duc Anh Home wore nice dresses and went to the church to
attend the Sunday mass and the 63rd birth anniversary of Priest Joseph
Pham Ngoc Oanh and his 41st consecration. All of them call Father Oanh,
Director of the orphanage, their Dad. Whenever he comes back home, they
are happy and welcome him with smiles and jubilant looks. Seeing the cozy
atmosphere and beautiful flowers, no one can think these children have
unhappy destinies.
After the ceremony they
came back home and had a rest as required by the Home’s regulations. I
walked around and saw that not all children were asleep. In the room for
the under - 4 year old and disabled children, Sister Nguyen Thi Lanh were
gently massaging the back of a child who led a vegetable existence. With
an extreme gentle and clear voice, Sister Lanh said: “This child is one
and a half years old.” One could hardly imagine that this woman with a
benevolent face and an honest smile had taken care of those children with
serious diseases for four years. She had received many unfortunate
children and taken care of them with all her heart. Her hand has gently
closed the eyes of many ill-fated children to see them off to God. I could
not say anything when visiting other rooms reserved for older children,
paralyzed children, girls’ room and boys’ room... Each room is a hearth
for the children with different wretched destinies. They are cared for by
the Sisters and women who volunteer to stay at Duc Anh Home and devote
their life to caring for the children as if they were their mothers.
Through his 11 years of
working as the Director of the orphanage, Priest Oanh remembers the names
as well as habits and behaviours of all his 158 children. He cares for
each of them, from applying for their birth certificates and their
schooling to taking them to the hospital for medical treatment... with the
responsibility of a father. In their curriculum vitas, the old priest is
always signed as their father. The only matter that always beats him is
the children’s question when they grow up, “Why am I here, Dad?” There is
no simple answer for their question. However, their sadness is fugitive.
Living with a father who has great love for them, these ill-fated children
feel happy, so their home is always full of laughter. The parishioners in
the surrounding areas often hear the clear singing of the children from
St. An Family in Bui Chu parish:nbsp; “We miss you when you are away
from home, Dad... We are very happy when you come back
home...”
Story: Trung
Kien