The Solemnity of Corpus Christi took on a deeply personal tone at the Mary, Mother of God Church in Thingangone parish of Pathein Diocese on June 7, as the faithful gathered to honor the Body and Blood of Christ—and to hear how the Eucharist sustained a Vietnamese cardinal through 13 years of communist imprisonment.

The 7:30 a.m. Holy Mass was presided over by Msgr. Pius Win Than alongside the new parish priest, Fr. Jimmy Sa Ei Taw. Sisters, catechists, and parishioners filled the church for the celebration, which blended Eucharistic devotion with a striking call to media evangelization in the Pwo Karen language.

In his homily, Msgr. Pius recounted the story of Cardinal François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, who was arrested in Vietnam in 1975. “His greatest desire during his imprisonment was to celebrate Mass,” the monsignor said. Despite severe restrictions, the cardinal secretly celebrated the Eucharist daily with only a little wine and bread, turning his cell into a chapel and sharing spiritual strength with fellow prisoners.

“This testimony gives us a deeper understanding of His power,” Msgr. Pius said. “The Eucharist is an inexhaustible source of strength, comfort, and hope, even amidst suffering.”

He also recalled Mother Teresa’s request when seeking permission to work in China: “Let me have a priest with me.” She believed missionary work without the Eucharist would be “a river without a source” or “a tree without roots.” The Eucharist, Msgr. Pius emphasized, is “the source and summit of Christian life.”

Drawing from St. Paul, he reminded the congregation that “we all eat and drink the one bread,” meaning believers are united in Christ. “The life of a person who has received the Lord must abandon selfishness, jealousy, and divisions,” he said.

Bringing the Gospel to Pwo Karen Communities

After Mass, Ms. Angela Pan Ei Phyu, coordinator of the RVA Pwo Karen Service, detailed the program’s growth. She noted that RVA now broadcasts in 12 ethnic languages—up from 10—with the recent addition of Akha and Kayan. The Pwo Karen service is run by five dedicated staff, including a sister and three youth, producing faith programs and preaching the Gospel in the Pwo Karen tongue.

She explained that listeners worldwide can access the programs via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and the RVA website.

Fr. Jimmy Sa Ei Taw, who previously served as coordinator of the same RVA program for many years, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team. He urged parishioners to respect their traditional culture and preserve their mother tongue. “Through this program, you can not only listen to the good news but also gain much knowledge and wisdom,” he said, encouraging everyone to like, share, and watch.

Msgr. Pius thanked Fr. Jimmy and the parish for their warm welcome, noting that the new parish priest had brought the RVA ministry to his new flock—many of whom are Pwo Karen.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service