According to an announcement from the Redemptorists of Vietnam, Father Giuse Chu Đình Chuyển spent 52 years in religious life and 30 years in the priesthood.
He was born on March 20, 1941, in Hai Duong. In 1970, he joined the Redemptorist Juvenate and studied at the Saigon University of Letters. In 1973, he entered the Order's novitiate in Nha Trang, beginning his religious journey.
On February 10, 1974, he took his first vows in Nha Trang. On January 4, 1977, he took his perpetual vows at the Redemptorist Academy in Thu Duc.
In the period after 1975, Father Giuse Chu Đình Chuyển spent time in a "New Economic Zone" and underwent re-education in Xuyen Moc from 1977 to 1979, later continuing his pastoral service in various locations.
From 1979 to 1993, he served as an assistant at Binh An Thuong Parish (HCMC). During this time, he also worked at the Cu Chi farm and served at Son Loc Parish.
From 1993 to 1996, he served at the Redemptorist community in Nha Trang. On June 6, 1996, he was ordained to the priesthood and continued his ministry there until 2010 before returning to the Saigon Redemptorist community.
Besides his pastoral life, Father Giuse Chu Đình Chuyển was also known by the pen name Chu Đình Bình An and was the author of the famous children's song "Two Little Lizards."
The song was born from a very ordinary detail: a rainstorm and two lizards biting each other. From that simple image, the fun song with its catchy melody quickly spread through children's artistic activities, both within the Catholic community and in general society.
A familiar snippet of the lyrics:
“Two little lizards
Chasing and biting each other's tails off
Father lizard is very sad
He calls them over and scolds them.”
According to the announcement from the Redemptorists of Vietnam:
- Ritual of enshrinement and prayer mass: 7:00 PM on March 9, 2026, at the Saigon Redemptorist Monastery.
- Funeral Mass: 6:00 AM on March 12, 2026, at the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Saigon.
- After the mass, the remains will be cremated at Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery.
The passing of Father Giuse Chu Đình Chuyển leaves many memories in the hearts of generations, especially through the children's song that was once tied to the childhood of many Vietnamese people.
