Jesuits hold summer retreats
for Catholic students in Vietnam
 |
| A Catholic student prays in a scenic, lakefront setting |
For Catholic students in Vietnam looking to set aside some
time for God, Jesuits are offering a unique opportunity to take part in one of
several 6-day summer retreats.
By Fr. Nguyen Van Yen, SJ
Though there are no Jesuit-run schools in Vietnam, Jesuits
working in the country have a unique way of accompanying thousands of Catholic
university students along their spiritual journey.
They offer 5-day silent retreats based on the Spiritual
Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola during summer holidays.
The program’s purpose is to help young people turn their
summertime into a moment to rest and renew their souls, while at the same time
deepening their relationship with God.
Retreat!
The 5-day retreats are organized every year during the
months of July and August for students and young professionals aged 17 to 35.
Those interested in signing up can visit the website
at www.linhthaosinhvien.net which
contains information on various retreat options, along with venues and
schedules.
The student summer retreats are normally held at diocesan
pastoral centers, retreat houses run by religious congregations, or in
parishes.
Each retreat is guided by a Jesuit and a group of
collaborators (mostly sisters from different congregations) who have training
and experience in Ignatian spirituality and Scripture.
The retreat includes 5 days of silent prayer, followed by a
1-day picnic.
Program
During the retreat portion, students are provided with
moving and relevant presentations based on the Spiritual Exercises of St.
Ignatius, followed by handouts with suggestions for prayer and abundant time
for reflection, opportunities for individual spiritual direction, and examen,
as well as moments for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and sharing in the
Eucharist.
Also, to help retreatants immerse themselves in silent
meditation, they are invited not to use any digital devices.
Participants spend time each day in prayer and reflection
(usually 4 set “prayer periods” of at least 60 minutes) and meet with their
spiritual director each day for approximately 15-30 minutes.
Spiritual directors listen to retreatants’ reflection about
how God is present in their lives, as well as consolations and desolations that
might happen within retreatants’ hearts as they are praying.
In addition, a 1-day picnic is held after the retreat to
help students get to know each other better through conversations, teambuilding
games, and other activities.
Afterwards, retreatants can keep in touch with one another
through social networks and Facebook groups to share their faith experiences
and friendship.
Cost
To make the retreats more accessible to students and young
people, benefactors around the world subsidize the retreats through donations.
Participants end up paying only half the cost of meals and
accommodation, coming to around 12-15 USD for the whole experience.
Take time for pray time
Jesuits offer these summer retreats for Catholic students
throughout Vietnam, and the number of retreatants continues to increase
rapidly.
In 2018, 19 retreats were held with a total of 1,223
students and young professionals. In 2017, 17 retreats were held with a total
of 1,132 retreatants.
This summer, 19 retreats will be held in different parts of
Vietnam.
Some young students find it difficult to make time to attend
the summer retreats, so the Student Ministry of the Jesuit’s Vietnam Province
plans to hold more retreats during the year as well.
Additionally, the Jesuits also offer another type of retreat
known as the “Busy Persons’ Retreats”, which are held on weekends.
These weekend retreats are an adaptation of the Ignatian
prayer and are more flexible than the rigorous prayer pattern set forth in the
Spiritual Exercises.
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