Cuong Duy Vu

Date of Award

4-2020

Document Type

Thesis - SCU Access Only

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2020.

Degree Name

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)

Director

Hung Trung Pham

Abstract

How can Vietnamese religious understand joy as “the beauty of consecration”? In the present context of religious life in Vietnam, rediscovering and deepening joy is essential for those who want to live their consecrated life satisfactorily. As demonstrated, the dynamic of consolation in the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius serves as an effective instrument to assist religious in attaining that goal.

Focusing on the need of renewing joy among religious in Vietnam in the present context, this thesis has provided a general picture of religious life beginning with an overview of the history of the Vietnamese Church in the First Chapter. In this landscape, the chapter highlights the gifts of religious life in Vietnam, which are designated as the “light.” At the same time, difficulties and challenges, which are named as “shadow,” are also studied. Furthermore, economic, social, and cultural aspects were also investigated to demonstrate how these external and internal factors have led Vietnamese religious to a situation in which they are lacking joy in their consecrated life.

It is my hope that this research provides another useful perspective on the Spiritual Exercises. The Spiritual Exercises can serve as a remedy for the lack of joy and erosion of vocation after years of living religious life. Furthermore, prayerfully, my study could provide a breath of fresh air and true joy of Christ for religious individuals or as a whole. With openness and cooperation with God’s grace, the dynamics and graces of each of the Weeks of the Spiritual Exercises could become an instrument assisting religious retreatants to plunge ever more deeply in prayer. Even though I am grounded in the Ignatian tradition, my research will help expand the understanding of joy in Christian Spirituality. Pastorally, such an understanding will help not only space Jesuits but many other consecrated men and women to live out their religious life and vocation with joy.

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