The Coming to the Promised Land National Convention, held ev ry six years, serves as a pivotal gathering for all leaders in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (VEYM) to renew their commitment to their vocation. This year the seventh event, themed “Though many, are one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12), took place from August 9 to August 12 at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, FL.

This year’s Coming to the Promised Land National Convention 7 boasted the participation of several bishops, around 50 priests, 40 deacons, and numerous religious brothers and sisters, alongside more than 1,100 VEYM leaders representing 120 groups across the United States. Additionally, priests and youth leaders from Vietnam, Canada, France, and the Vatican joined the event. Redemptorists participants included: Fr. Viet Nguyen of the Extra-Patriam Vice Province; Fr. Phuoc Nguyen of the Vietnam Province; Fr. Peter Linh Nguyen, Fr. Huan Le and Fr. Denis Sweeney of the Baltimore Province; and our own Fr. John Son Tran and Fr. Joe Thong Ngo, General Chaplain of the VEYM.

Among the bishops in attendance were: Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services; Bishop John Nhan Tran, VEYM Episcopal Advisor and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta; Bishop Michael Cuong Pham, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego; and Bishop Eric Pohlmeier, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida.

Camp Kulaqua is located more than two hours from Orlando. Most youth leaders flew into Orlando and took a bus to Camp Kulaqua, while others drove from various locations to ensure timely arrivals. The program during the four-day event included Mass and numerous discussion sessions led by renowned Vietnamese youth leaders.