VIENTIANE (UCAN) -- The first national gathering of the Catholic Church in Laos since communists came to power in 1975 took place when the Lao Mission Congress (LMC) convened this past May 9-12.

Attending the LMC in Pakse, 465 kilometers southeast of Vientiane, were more than 60 people from all four apostolic vicariates: Luan Prabang and Vientiane in the north, Thakek-Savannkhet in the center and Pakse in the south.

The vicariate leaders -- three bishops and one monsignor -- participated, as did priests, nuns, seminarians, catechists and laypeople.

One participant, Lattana Xaypunya, a 23-year-old youth minister in Pakse, composed some prayerful reflections for UCA News about the event.

Lattana's commentary softy signals how momentous the LMC was for the small Catholic community in Laos, particularly for its younger members.

Most of the 5.6 million people in Laos are Buddhists, and according to Church data, about 35,000 -- far less than 1 percent -- are Catholics.

The special commentary that Lattana wrote for UCA News follows:

"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

Today, we not only hear the Word, we recognize that the Word became flesh and, in His glory for His people, is dwelling among us.

We should praise and thank God for His love and mercy, for He is real and always with us, wherever and whoever we may be, however poor we are.

This is especially true for the Church in Laos. We believe the kingdom of God is near. In this way, the first LMC was the fulfillment of Scripture.

Laos is a small, very poor country. We struggle to build our Church, for now through strong small communities. However much we are in darkness, we have hope in God and we find light, the light of faith, in Jesus Christ our savior.

We are a marginalized Church in Asia, but God still loves us. He continues to be present to us, and pours out His love and blessings.

We have received His blessings in many ways, and the latest was the most precious. It was a moment of history for the Church in Laos.

From May 9 to 12, the local Church gathered as brothers and sisters, children of God, to pray, share and live together as a family. This historic event that we call Lao Mission Congress was an extension of the Asian Mission Congress held Oct. 18-22, 2006, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Laos became independent more than 30 years ago, but this was the first time Catholics could gather, the first time the whole Church in Laos could meet.

It was a wonderful occasion and special for each of us who was there. It was a chance to meet and share the story of Jesus in our works and lives.

All the things that made up the congress -- its activities, arrangements, events, food, accommodations -- could not have come together without young people, who added color to the event. Coming from Pakse, Vientiane and Muang Khammouan (Thakhek) and led by priests and sisters, they contributed their gifts and talents.

The LMC had three goals: to tell stories about the Church in Laos; to refresh our witness to Jesus Christ; and to help the youth of today discover their faith values at a deeper level.

This kind of gathering wakes us up, and opens our eyes and ears to hear and see the love of God. It helps us understand His plan for salvation.

There were many different interesting topics to discuss, such as how Lao Catholics have grown and advanced, the difficulties of missionary work and the persons who brought the Good News to the Lao people.

One talk, We Are the Hope of Our Church in Laos, was one of the wonderful youth-geared stories, questions and ideas that emerged from the congress.

As Laos' new generation, we young people must observe and learn, and even more so our sons and daughters, who are born in the new millennium and will continue to build the kingdom of God.

The LMC was a chance to stop, look back, identify weaknesses and strengths, and then look forward. The gathering helped us plan for the future of our mission, our community and our dioceses, and it helped us plan simple paths for individuals right now. We will find yet ways to help people who never knew God, or who know Him but cannot find His grace.

The congress is long past, but we continue to pray for one another.

We pray for the grace to move forward, face the light and build His kingdom.

We pray that young people in Laos can find God's love in their life and always take consolation in Him.

They are the hope of our Church, and God's kingdom is in their hands.

This is the special prayer and hope of Laos.

END

(Accompanying photos available at here)