Asia-Pacific Augustinian Novitiate - APAN

26/04/2026

During the Second Vatican Council, St. Pope Paul VI, concerned about the alarming decline in the number of men entering the seminary, established the Word Day of Prayer for Vocations and called all Catholics to pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. First held in 1964, this annual event takes place on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, when the readings focus on the Lord as our Shepherd. Jesus has instructed us, " The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for this harvest" (Mt 9: 37-38). Every vocation is sacred and precious, but on this day, we pray especially for more priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women. The Church needs more shepherds whose hearts reflect the Heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

And this is the message of Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, 2026

24/04/2026

There are prayers that transcend time, because they arise from the deepest place within the human person, where the longing for God never fades. They do not grow old; they simply await being voiced again in the present moment.

“Grant Me, O Lord” is not merely a composition, but an echo of the supplication offered by Saint Augustine after his conversion; an event whose 1640th anniversary is commemorated this year by the Church, and especially by the entire Augustinian family. In it appears a soul aware of its own fragility, yet burning with the desire to be united with the truth. Everything converges toward one end: God as both source and fulfillment.

Within this movement, the human person is no longer the center. What remains is the prayer itself, lifting its voice before God. The melody serves only to sustain it, as a means by which the plea becomes clearer within the heart, so that one may listen and respond.

Music, then, is not for display or ornament, but for opening an inner space where prayer becomes a bridge between the human person and God. It allows that prayer to move beyond a solitary utterance and become a shared experience among souls who seek Him.

In the end, what matters is not many words, but a single sincere prayer directed toward God, and a silence deep enough for that prayer to remain and bear fruit within the heart.

Song: Grant Me, O Lord
Written by: Novice Vũ Đặng Quốc Việt (Francis Xavier)
Singer: Serena Thuy Tien

24/04/2026

CONVERSION OF SAINT AUGUSTINE – April 24
FEAST DAY
As a young man, Augustine lived a restless life—searching for truth, chasing philosophies, and struggling to find meaning. For years, he followed different teachings, even spending nine years with the Manicheans, only to feel unsatisfied.

While teaching rhetoric in Milan, he encountered the preaching of Bishop Ambrose. What began as admiration for eloquence became a turning point—opening Augustine’s heart to Scripture and the Christian faith.

One day in 386, while in a garden with his friend Alypius, Augustine heard a child’s voice repeating: “Pick it up and read it.” Taking this as a sign, he opened the Bible and read:

"Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." — Romans 13:13–14

In that moment, his heart was filled with light. He turned away from his old life and embraced a new path. On April 24, 387, he was baptized, along with his friend Alypius and his son Adeodatus.

Reflecting on his journey, Augustine later wrote:

"You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."

May his story remind us that no matter how far we wander, truth and grace are always within reach.

18/04/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOVICE DUY, HUU DANG (PETER)
18 APRIL 2026

16/04/2026

Let's us pray

16/04/2026

04/04/2026

THE EASTER VIGIL – THE NIGHT OF LIGHT AND LIFE

This is the holiest night of the year.

The night when darkness is pierced by a single flame,

and from it, light spreads throughout the world.

From the Paschal Candle, the Church proclaims:

“The Light of Christ.”

And we respond:

“Thanks be to God.”

Tonight, we do not simply recall an event,

but are drawn into the Mystery itself:

from death to life,

from darkness into light,

from despair to a hope that never fades.

How many times in life have we walked through darkness…

Yet tonight reminds us:

no darkness can overcome the light of God.

The tomb is no longer sealed.

Death no longer has the final word.

Love has triumphed.

Christ is risen. Alleluia, alleluia.

May each of us, in our own lives,

also rise again—

freed from sin, from fear, from all that separates us from God and from one another.

🌿 Tonight, let that light touch you.

And carry that light into the world.

03/04/2026

✝️ THE GOOD FRIDAY
“From the Holy Gospel according to Mark (15:25–32)”
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Him. The charge against Him read: “The King of the Jews.”Amid mockery, doubt, and suffering, He chose silence… He chose love… He chose to endure it all for us.
People challenged Him to come down from the cross to prove His power.But Jesus showed something greater than power — He showed sacrifice, mercy, and unconditional love.
🙏 Good Friday is a moment for us to pause, reflect, and remember:Sometimes, love means staying… even when it hurts.Sometimes, faith means trusting… even when we don’t understand.
💭 Today, let us be grateful for His sacrifice and live with compassion, humility, and forgiveness.

This photo: Vatican News

02/04/2026

✨ HOLY THURSDAY – LOVE TO THE END ✨

Today, the Church enters Holy Thursday – a sacred day that commemorates three great gifts: the Eucharist, the Priesthood, and the commandment of Love.

💖 On this special day, we are invited to contemplate the love of Jesus – a love that “loves to the end,” a love that gives completely, serves humbly, and offers itself for all.

🙏 In union with the Holy Father’s invitation, let us:

Pray in a special way for priests

Ask that they may recognize God’s love, especially in times of difficulty and trial

Pray that they may follow the example of Jesus – living a life of humble service and love for their flock

🌿 At the same time, each of us is also called to:

Conversion of heart

Live in love and sharing

Build communion with others through the Sacrament of Love

📹 Let us watch the video and unite in prayer on this meaningful day.

22/03/2026

✨ VOCATION EXPERIENCE JOURNEY ✨

Over the past two days, a group of young people had the opportunity to visit and learn about the Augustinian of life. This was not only a chance to explore religious life, but also a journey of listening, experiencing, and discerning the deeper call within each heart.

💛 Through moments of prayer, sharing, and community activities, they gained a better understanding of the Augustinian spirituality of “unity in love and truth.” Simple yet meaningful experiences left them with many emotions, reflections, and questions about their future.

🌱 May this journey become a good seed, helping each of them grow in courage as they seek and respond to their own vocation.

19/03/2026

SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH – PROTECTOR OF THE AUGUSTINIAN ORDER 🌿

Prayer to St. Joseph the protector of the order
Oh! Blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my redeemed Jesus Christ and protector of the Augustinian order. I choose you this day to be my special patron and advocate. I give myself to you that you may be always my father and guide in the way of salvation, obtain for me a great purity of heart, a fervent love of the interior life and the spirit of prayer. I humbly beseech you to instruct me in every doubt to comfort me in every afflictions, and finally to defend and protect me in the hour of death. A-men

Saint Joseph
Pray for us

05/03/2026

We would like to share with you this booklet of the Way of the Cross as an invitation to enter into a spiritual journey with Christ. The Stations of the Cross are not only a remembrance of the Lord’s Passion, but also an opportunity for each of us to reflect on our own lives—to recognize our weaknesses, our failures, and the boundless mercy that God continually offers us. As you meditate on each station, you may see reflections of your own life: moments of falling, the burdens you carry, and times of loneliness, misunderstanding, and suffering.

Jesus Christ, our Lord, invites you to be part of His journey to the cross. Each day, perhaps without realizing it, we may continue to mock and ridicule Him through our words, actions, and choices—no different from those who mocked, ridiculed, and finally condemned Him to death. Yet, though wrongly accused, He silently endures every suffering and hardship for the salvation of our souls. Do you not see that this Way of the Cross is also an invitation for you to take part in God’s divine plan? Are you willing to accompany Him on the way to the cross?

The journey to the cross is not easy. At times, you may suffer as Christ suffered. However, remember that you are not alone on this path. Christ walks with you. He is the way that leads us to God our Father, who grants us grace and strength so that, through perseverance and faith, we may ultimately share in His victory.

It is our hope that through every page of this booklet and every station you meditate upon, you will come to experience more deeply the sacrificial love of Christ for humanity. May these moments of prayer strengthen your faith and encourage you to carry your own cross each day with trust and hope—remembering always that beyond the suffering of the cross, the glory of the Resurrection awaits. ✝️

👉Please click the link below to download the PDF file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bo_9wZJlC7h2ycjJJfyfyGzKb6Rl6O0y/view?usp=drivesdk