“They Lived like that – Dominican Spirit”: Meeting for the temporary vow members in Vietnam
Recognizing the challenges faced by young religious in a society and circumstances that are both fragile and steadfast, and responding to the call to live our religious commitment at the highest level while passing on to them during their formation the “flame of enthusiasm of the Order’s spirit,” on November 9, 2024, the Executive Committee of the Dominican Family organized a special meeting for the temporary vow members (sisters and brothers), along with their formators, centered around the spirit of the Order at Ngoc Dong Parish in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
This was an excellent opportunity for the Friars, Sisters in formation teem, and younger members in formation to exchange insights on very practical and beneficial topics in consecrated life. The discussion included the following subjects: Religious Life and Freedom; Complacency in Religious Life; Planning for the Future; Happiness in Religious Life; and Tips to Keep the Fire Burning.
Through the sharing of the Fathers and Sisters in formation team, participants gained an understanding of freedom in religious life from various perspectives. It can be a grand dream to “fight” for an ideal or, like the pendulum of a clock, when it swings according to the correct principles, life’s goals can be achieved in an orderly manner. This helps prevent complacency or living in illusion and vanity about oneself, fostering humility to recognize oneself and rely on God and the mercy of brothers and sisters.
The meeting also helped younger members find ways to live happily in consecrated life, balancing between religious life and the mission of engaging with the secular world through four key points to implement during the formation stage:
- Grasping one’s own identity and being faithful to it;
- Cultivating a sense of belonging to a religious Order and its charism;
- Practicing the grace of discernment to recognize the signs of the times;
- Bearing witness through fraternal community life.
The gathering was like a fresh breath of air, helping the brothers and sisters in formation to become more aware of their role and responsibility in training and self-training to live the Dominican vocation fully and to bear witness in today’s world.
Sharing about the happiness in religious life, it was emphasized that when one has chosen God, one should not fear going against the current of the world.
The gathering concluded with a solemn Mass in honor of the Dominican Saints, followed by a warm buffet meal at Ngoc Dong Parish. The day was joyful and very meaningful, leaving participants with many reflections and aspirations about consecrated life and self-formation to become Dominican religious as God desires.
The gathering was like a fresh breath of air, helping the brothers and sisters in formation to become more aware of their role and responsibility in training and self-training to live the Dominican vocation fully and to bear witness in today’s world.
