Religious Congress 수도자 모임

                                                             
     (written in 1997)

Catholics are at times attacked for their hierarchical structure and its many ceremonies. I cannot deny these challenging views on the Catholic faith. Nevertheless, it is true that Catholics are constantly moving towards the renewal of religious life. Keeping this in mind, I would like to share my experience as an observer at the first International Congress of Young Women and Men Religious held in Rome from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4. This meeting was truly a challenge to reshape the role and vision of men and women religious as witnesses to God’s love and spiritual values. Over 800 participants from various religious institutions on five continents gathered to reflect upon and share their experiences and visions. Among them were six women and three men religious from Korea.

 The congress entitled “Vidimus Dominum” – We have seen the Lord – was divided into five groups according to five languages – English (256 religious people), French (137), Italian (147), Spanish (216), and German (44). Each day began with special talks focused on vocation, spirituality, communion, and mission. Meditating on these main issues, people in the group shared and presented what they had learned, experienced, and thought. They were eager to profess their joy and faith out of their experiences in the community. While listening to their voices confessing their testimonies of faith, I strongly felt the urgent need to witness living not by words only but by putting the words into practice and of inculturalization not only teaching but becoming one in spirit.

 One thing that took my interest was an interview with Sr. Nirmala who inherited the spirituality of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She said in an interview that the way to renew religious life is first of all to return to the spirit of the founder. She thought that people in society were looking for holiness and gospel values from religious life. When they asked if her degree in law gave her the possibility to be more attentive and to remove the causes of poverty, she humbly answered, “No. I think that the law that God asks me to practice is a Superior law, the law of love in the Supreme Court of Heaven… What is most valuable is the law of love toward all people. How can religious life contribute to the inter-religious dialogue? There must be an increase in respect for the religion of the other person.” In this way, she was so simple and humble with her answers but certainly shared some profound truth with us.

 People could participate in this meeting via an internet homepage, including Public Place for Dialogue. The Public Place for Dialogue was particularly active with curiosity from the public: “Could you tell us what are the forces that drive you to give yourself totally to this way of life?” “Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Catholic religious, was buried at a state funeral amidst a plural-religious ceremony in a nation where Catholics are a minority. Why such a recognition?” “Is religious life of interest to the young?” I dare to invite you to give some thoughts on these questions.

 I was inspired by one of the participants who shared the importance of honest dialogue with one another and faithfulness to God’s words as two simple elements that energize community life. Another sister shares her community experiences revealed through small gestures such as offering a larger piece of fruit to nearby companions, keeping silent when necessary in spite of curiosity, or saying “We love you; we are here”, especially in trying moments. Another representative I’d like to mention is Fr. Nike DJ preaching God’s love while dancing in a discotheque. People call him Nike he wears sports shoes while dancing.

 Christianity has endured through many ages and is now on the threshold of the new millennium. We have to renew our lives so as to live the true spirituality of communitarian life as in the apostolic era. People want to see that God loves them dearly, and we are the ones who can reveal His unconditional love to them. Inspired by God’s perpetual love and our mutual brotherhood, we can surely and willingly witness greater love among people. In what way can we reveal and witness this unconditional and constant love in our daily lives? This is our daily homework to solve every moment.

 We have seen the Lord. Our God and Savior who lives among us for the joy of humanity. We have known you and started a new life challenging the entire world to bring peace and freedom to all. We want to give thanks and praise to you. Jesus Christ, for walking in this world. We sing together to the Lord who is life and joy for us.

 

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Oct. 25, 1997