austraLasia 1264
Modern Vietnamese youth and religious vocation: 20-20 foresight?
VIETNAM: 28th September 2005 -- The place does not really matter, nor do the names of individuals, but the reality does. Everyone knows, because it is proudly trumpeted in parts of the world where vocations are few, that young Vietnamese in or beyond Vietnam, readily answer the call. The Rector Major, recently writing to the Salesian Postnovitiate in Vietnam, described the flowering of vocations there as " a grace, not only for the province and for the region, but for the whole Congregation", and he expressed the wish that "the province continue to fill the RM's heart with joy and hope through so many good and holy vocations". That is one part of the reality. Another, which can only be heard from individuals, is to have a glimpse at the joys and sorrows of a maturing vocation in situ.
Let's begin by giving voice to a novice. Now this is really not just one novice, but a composite novice made up of some 30 separate voices. What are some of the thoughts of our composite novice? Many of these thoughts are questions, but the questions also reveal convictions: he recognises that numbers are high in Vietnamese novitiates, but wonders what 20 years will bring; will it be like Europe today? He has already seen some of his companions leave - already in pre-novitiate, and wonders to himself: 'if some of the best and the holy have left, what should I be doing now, to ensure that step by step I become worthy, holy as a Salesian'? Our novice feels he is not so gifted with languages, so a missionary field beyond Vietnam may be beyond him - but he is sure there is mission where he is, amongst ethnic minorities and Montagnards. He knows what Don Bosco did for poor and abandoned youth in Turin, and sees what could be done for the same in Ho Chi Minh City. And should our novice be a Brother or a Priest? Maybe he wants to be a Brother, but what should he do in concrete terms, and is one year really enough to make that kind of discernment?
By the time our composite novice reaches post-novitiate stage, his reflections have altered a little. His idea of mission has broadened; he is aware just how many missionaries 'ad gentes' the Vietnamese Church is providing these days, and wonders, just wonders....what are some of the characteristics of young SDB confreres in EAO nations, compared to their peers in Vietnam? How would one best prepare to adapt to another culture? He wonders, like any young Salesian, 'how best to live with joy in our hearts and a smile on our lips on a daily basis'. He looks, too, at Vietnamese youth today, not so far removed from himself, and has a thousand questions: we no longer work just for boys, but boys and girls. 'How can I best grow in a balanced atttitude towards the girls'? 'My young peers are characterised by a refusal of the spiritual, yes, even here in Vietnam. It is easy enough to share human values, but the spiritual...?'. 'And for myself, how can I meditate better - are there books that can help me? Are short prayers really enough to live the grace of unity between my life and my faith'?
It is surprising how often the questions and the comments return to the '20' figure, as Vietnam opens up, becomes more prosperous. What does that prosperity hold for such a call as our young Salesian now experiences? He is not looking back, not struggling with 20-20 hindsight, but foresight. Now that, if he continues to do so, may be the real blessing!
_______________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml If you subscribe, email this information and your name will come off the regular email list. RSS eliminates problems such as multiple mailings, viruses, email bloat. Think about it!
Modern Vietnamese youth and religious vocation: 20-20 foresight?
VIETNAM: 28th September 2005 -- The place does not really matter, nor do the names of individuals, but the reality does. Everyone knows, because it is proudly trumpeted in parts of the world where vocations are few, that young Vietnamese in or beyond Vietnam, readily answer the call. The Rector Major, recently writing to the Salesian Postnovitiate in Vietnam, described the flowering of vocations there as " a grace, not only for the province and for the region, but for the whole Congregation", and he expressed the wish that "the province continue to fill the RM's heart with joy and hope through so many good and holy vocations". That is one part of the reality. Another, which can only be heard from individuals, is to have a glimpse at the joys and sorrows of a maturing vocation in situ.
Let's begin by giving voice to a novice. Now this is really not just one novice, but a composite novice made up of some 30 separate voices. What are some of the thoughts of our composite novice? Many of these thoughts are questions, but the questions also reveal convictions: he recognises that numbers are high in Vietnamese novitiates, but wonders what 20 years will bring; will it be like Europe today? He has already seen some of his companions leave - already in pre-novitiate, and wonders to himself: 'if some of the best and the holy have left, what should I be doing now, to ensure that step by step I become worthy, holy as a Salesian'? Our novice feels he is not so gifted with languages, so a missionary field beyond Vietnam may be beyond him - but he is sure there is mission where he is, amongst ethnic minorities and Montagnards. He knows what Don Bosco did for poor and abandoned youth in Turin, and sees what could be done for the same in Ho Chi Minh City. And should our novice be a Brother or a Priest? Maybe he wants to be a Brother, but what should he do in concrete terms, and is one year really enough to make that kind of discernment?
By the time our composite novice reaches post-novitiate stage, his reflections have altered a little. His idea of mission has broadened; he is aware just how many missionaries 'ad gentes' the Vietnamese Church is providing these days, and wonders, just wonders....what are some of the characteristics of young SDB confreres in EAO nations, compared to their peers in Vietnam? How would one best prepare to adapt to another culture? He wonders, like any young Salesian, 'how best to live with joy in our hearts and a smile on our lips on a daily basis'. He looks, too, at Vietnamese youth today, not so far removed from himself, and has a thousand questions: we no longer work just for boys, but boys and girls. 'How can I best grow in a balanced atttitude towards the girls'? 'My young peers are characterised by a refusal of the spiritual, yes, even here in Vietnam. It is easy enough to share human values, but the spiritual...?'. 'And for myself, how can I meditate better - are there books that can help me? Are short prayers really enough to live the grace of unity between my life and my faith'?
It is surprising how often the questions and the comments return to the '20' figure, as Vietnam opens up, becomes more prosperous. What does that prosperity hold for such a call as our young Salesian now experiences? He is not looking back, not struggling with 20-20 hindsight, but foresight. Now that, if he continues to do so, may be the real blessing!
_______________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml If you subscribe, email this information and your name will come off the regular email list. RSS eliminates problems such as multiple mailings, viruses, email bloat. Think about it!
