Lifestream 2 Sr

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Lifestream 2 Sr www.livestrong.com September Volume V Issue No. 5 September- October 2017 M. ANGELA ANNOUNCES In this Issue: XIII GENERAL CHAPTER Generalate/Election of the Prioress ...........2 Mother Angela Strobel announced on September 23, the eve of the CIB Meeting...............3 132nd Foundation of the Congregation , the convocation of the World Day Prayer Thirteenth General Chapter for Creation...............4 of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Constitutions...............5 to be held at the Casa Santo Spirito in Rome Events..........................6 from September 23 to October 25, 2018. The theme of the XIII General Chapter is We are different yet one. “The way of Jesus…to walk united with our differences.” - Pope Francis Participants Foundation Day decoration in the chapel of Casa Santo Spirito, Rome (September 24, 2017) Congregation Lifestream 2 Sr. Regina (l) and Sr. Lumen (r) during the welcome rite at the doorsteps of Punalur August 29 – September 5 Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca and Sr. Regina Tesch visited the sisters of the Punalur Community, India. Arrival of Sr. Caridad (l) and M. Angela (r) in Daegu M. Angela (m) cuts her feastday cake assisted by Sr. Caridad (l) and Sr. Maoro (r) Punalur Community Seated l-r: Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, Sr. Lumen Gloria and Sr. Regina September 1- December 12 M. Angela Strobel and Sr. Caridad Choi are having their on-going canonical visitation in the priory of Daegu. In between M. Angela attended the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) meeting held at the Spirituality Center of Daegu (see story on page 3). The sisters had also an advance festive celebration of her feastday together with the commemoration of the golden jubilee of religious Novitiate members of Daegu profession of 11 sisters on October 8. October 1-27 Sr. Ma. Salete Rocha and Sr. Regina Tesch had their canonical visitation in Angola. October 20-22 Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay was re-elected nd rd Prioress of the Manila Priory for a Arrival of Sr. Regina(2 r) and Sr. Salete(3 r) term of three years during an Election Chapter held at St. M. Angela Scholastica’s Spirituality Center, Sisters with the Angolan children Tagaytay. The Chapter was l-r: Sr. Vitoria Resende, Sr. Salete and Sr. Regina conducted by Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, Vicaress General. Business Chapter followed from October 22- 27 this time attended by five ex-officio members and 25 delegates. CONGRATULATIONS SR. ADELAIDA! Congregation Lifestream 3 CIB HOLDS MEETING IN deeply when we made a visit to the Jeoldusan SOUTH KOREA Martyrs’ Shrine in Seoul By Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB where countless martyrs shed their blood for their Twenty-two Benedictine nuns and sisters from eleven different regions faith. throughout the world met in South Korea for the Conference of the The name, “Jeoldusan” Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB). Our Daegu Priory was the means, “Mountain of primary site for our eleven-day meeting but visits were also made to the beheading.” It was so Busan Olivetan Community and our St. Gertrud Priory in Seoul. Seven named because of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters participated in the twelve-day program martyrs who were September 8-19. beheaded there. The Key topics on the agenda included, planning for the 2018 CIB symposium reliquary below the main that will be held in Rome, financial and various regional reports. We had altar conserves the relics of interesting discussions about the future of CIB and M. Mariangela Yator 27 saints. showed photos of the Italian monasteries damaged a year ago by the Throughout our days we earthquakes. Almost US$200,000 was collected through CIB for renovations were mindful of the critical of their monasteries. Over and over again M. Mariangela spoke of the situation in North Korea. appreciation of the communities who received both prayer and financial We placed this deep support from Benedictines all over the world. concern for the Korean We had the special privilege to visit the Unmunsa Buddhist Temple not too People in our prayers. As far from Daegu. This is the largest training center for Buddhist nuns in the days of the conference Korea established in 560. At present there are about 160 nuns living and came to an end, I felt so studying there. Several Buddhist nuns spent the day with us showing us the proud of our sisters in both grounds, telling of their life, and sharing lunch with us. priories for their Visits were also made to our Benedictine Brothers in Waegwan Abbey outstanding and generous near Daegu and monks of St. Joseph Priory in Seoul. Abbot Blazio and the hospitality, their witness of monks gave us a grand welcome. Of special interest were the amazing dedication to the workshops of the monks in Waegwan and the large pear orchard at St. Benedictine life, and Joseph’s. Many of the sisters know the former Abbot Odo and were committed service to the delighted to meet him at Waegwan. Church. Throughout the days, the participants had a fine exposure to the history of the Catholic Church in Korea and the presence of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters and Monks in Korea. We were touched Buddhist Abbess Jim-Kwang with M. Angela OSB Tutzing Participants At the Waegwan Abbey From l-r: Sr. Dolores Hong, Sr. Vania Toscano, M. Angela Strobel, M. Maoro M. Rose Marie, former Sye, M. Rose Marie Hwang, Sr. Rosann Ocken and Sr. Mary Daniel Park Abbot Odo, Sr. Dolores Congregation Lifestream 4 INDIA. The sun was struggling to show up its golden rays behind dark clouds as we processed, each Outdoor Vespers in India one of us with a small plant, a bunch of flowers, stones of different sizes and colors, a pair of cute priory's appointed chairperson of the JPIC, gold fish in a crystal bottle and many more to a led the guided rosary on Caring for place in the yard to pray Vespers on September 1. We Creation composed by Pope Francis. were welcomed by our cows and goats grazing a few At compline which was integrated with feet away, our faithful dog trying to protect our the presentation on Care of Creation, the privacy from intruders and the freshness of the plants Sisters and Formandees were given flower- and trees around. After depositing our offerings at shaped papers where they were told to write their pledge on how to help in the the altar, prayer followed smoothly, the texts lovingly healing of our environment. These were prepared and chosen for the occasion by our Junior later pinned to the bulletin board so that we sisters. It was such a wonderful experience to spend would be reminded of what we wrote or the last hours of the day united in prayers to the rest MFP Participantspledged. of humanity wonderful experience to spend the last The bulletin board looked colorful with hours of the day united in prayers to the rest of all our pledges. For the closing prayer, we humanity with the loving presence of our Vicaress, all prayed A Prayer for Our Earth from Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, OSB. and General Laudato Si’. Instead of Salve Regina, the Councillor, Sr. Regina Tesch, OSB. on this beautiful community sang My Soul Doth Glory In “Day of Prayer for Creation.” the Lord. By Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, OSB By Sr. Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB OKONGO (Windhoek Priory). On PERAMIHO. The Peramiho Priory September 4 representatives from various Community gathered together with students institutions and sectors of Okongo were invited of Peramiho Girls Secondary School at the for the planning / workshop. The day began with Marian statue for the opening day of the a prayer service honoring God's creation and being grateful for these gifts. Resource speakers World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation from the health ministry and the office on on Septermber 1. Sister Judith Kombe, the OKONGO, PAGE 4 Sisters and students gathered at prayer before the Marian statue <-- Flower-shaped pledges on how to heal the environment Congregation Lifestream 5 Part V For most parts, the texts were newly elaborated by under- commissions, working in the framework of the central commission. central commission. Each chapter was divided into “spiritual” texts and juridical “norms”. The Participants of the Okongo meeting on environment norms of the Chapter 6 are more numerous. After headed by Sr. Beate Schröter (1st row, second from this follow the “supplementary norms” (Zusatz- right normen), minor regulations of a more changeable kind which could be revised by the next General Chapter. The temporary constitutions would be OKONGO, FROM PAGE 4 presented to the Propaganda Fide. The sanitation & environment were invited for inputs like Supplementary norms did not need to be presented the importance of sanitation & its connection to to the Holy See. The chapter also issued some health, ways and means to recycle, etc. regulations on how to work out the Priory The participants were given reflection questions. Statutes. These temporary constitutions were in These were meant to help them come up with creative use from 1970 – 1983 (date of approval). ideas on how Okongo can fully participate in caring Generally one can say that these Constitutions met for God's creation through concrete means like proper with much understanding and appreciation in the garbage segregation & collection, greening the town Congregation. To a high degree they were through tree planting and more aggressive accepted by the Propaganda Fide. The pertinent information campaign among townsfolk, especially Letter reads, e.g. “I am very glad to inform you among the small communities. that this Holy Congregation studied the above Participants were inter-denominational. the document with great interest and acknowledges day ended with a pledge of commitment and a closing the spirit which animates it, as well as the fine prayer and blessing by the Anglican pastor.
Recommended publications
  • The 1St Meeting of the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue
    The 1st meeting of the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue ■ Date: Nov. 13, 2019 ■ Place: Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue held its first historic meeting in a small room on the first floor of the Waegwan Benedictine Monastery. This group, which started with lunch after offering a daytime prayer together at the main chapel of Waegwan Monastery, was joined by Abbot Blasio Park of the Order of St. Benendict Waegwan Abbey, Fr. Anselmo Park(Waegwan Abbey), Sr. Marie Songmun Lee(Missionary Benedictine sisters of Tutzing Daegu Priory), Sr. HyoJu Kim(Missionary Benedictine sisters of Tutzing Seoul Priory), Sr Eucaria Jung and Sr. Michael Yoo (Olivetan Benedictine sisters of Busan). After hearing from Abbot Blasio Park that the conference of Major Superiors of Korean Benedictine had decided to establish this last May, Fr. Anselmo Park shared the historical background and current state of DIM·MID (Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique/Monastic Interreligious Dialogue). Sr. HyoJu also shared about the experiences of the First International Dialogue for Buddhist and Christian Nuns, which took place October 14-19, 2018. We've coordinated opinions on the nature and goals of this meeting and mapped out a rough plan for 2020, the first year of our commission’s activity. Through such sharing, the commission decided to have regular meetings on a quarterly basis and the committee will be headed by Father Anselmo Park for the time being. In the first half of next year, the commission will publish a booklet to help Benedictine monks in Korea to understand interreligious dialogue, and in the second half of next year, it will prepare the education plan dialogue which will be held in Seoul, Daegu and Busan in the form of lectures on inter-religious dialogue and experience sharing of interreligious.
    [Show full text]
  • Medıtatıon Chrıstıan
    Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 1 www.wccm.org Registered Charity No. 327173 - I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N , Vol 43 No 2; July 2019 Feast of Peace and Unity New Podcast Blessing of Phase 1 of renovation of Bonnevaux was Contemplative an illustration of the vision of life at the WCCM new home Revolution There is a new way for you to listen to talks, interviews and dialogue from the WCCM collection. It is called Contemplative Revolution, a weekly podcast. You can download and listen to the programs using different audio apps. Visit and subscribe to this podcast here: http://podcast.wccm.org Mgr Pascal Wintzer blessing Bonnevaux (top) and the music concert with the choir 9 News 10 News 12 Resources Laurence Freeman Updates on WCCM New pocket books and The visits Korea for the developments in the Caribbean Roots of Christian Mysticism This issue This first time and South Africa online course 2 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 A letter from Laurence Freeman, OSB If you look at one of the photos told us that mistakes, failure and ac- To help understand the need for of the beautiful blessing of Bon- cidents are all eventually part of the a universal understanding of con- nevaux last month you will see the single great blessing that is life. templation, we have launched a new large group of community, friends Shortly before the blessing of the WCCM podcast – called “Contempla- and neighbours packed into the long first phase of our renovation of Bon- tive Revolution”.
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime Industry Sails Into Congress EL FARO Update the Problem With
    NDED 1 00 FOU 936 $4. USD RICAN MA ME ST A E R F M O A L R I I C N N E R U S O C I N E C H . T o IN 3 CO 96 idelightsApril 2017 Vol. 47, N 2 RPORATED 1 S Published by the Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. Maritime Industry Sails into Congress EL FARO Update The Problem with AQUA Lane Energizing American Maritime Act Introduced Mission Statement www.mastermariner.org The Council of American Master Mariners is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the United States Merchant Marine and the position of the Master by fostering the exchange of maritime information and sharing our experience. We are committed to the promotion of nautical education, the improvement of training standards, and the support of the publication of professional literature. The Council monitors, comments, and takes positions on local, state, federal and international legislation and regulation that affect the Master. “Hull 488” IPA fromTraditional Brewery On February 25, 2017, the SS The energy and support from all United States Conservancy was attendees is a testament to the endur- proud to witness the release of the ing power of the SS United States signature craft beer Hull 488 in to inspire. Not only did Tradition 12-ounce cans. Newport News city Brewery donate all proceeds from the officials were in attendance, and there silent auction and the sale of Hull was much enthusiasm shared in sup- 488 at the event to the Conservancy, port of the SS United States making but they also pledged to donate 5 a grand return to the place where percent of all proceeds from the sale her hull (number 488) was laid.
    [Show full text]
  • The Front Page Korea-Cold War Send To: Families of the Missing 12 Clifford Drive Farmingdale, Ny 11735
    THE FRONT PAGE KOREA-COLD WAR SEND TO: FAMILIES OF THE MISSING 12 CLIFFORD DRIVE FARMINGDALE, NY 11735 http://www.koreacoldwar.org NovAug 2017201 7 Issue # #5756 POW-MIAPOW-MIA WEWE Remember!Remenber! 2017 TENTATIVE2018 FAMILY FAMILY UPDATE UPDATE SCHEDULE*SCHEDULE AugJanuaryust 10 20-11, San 2017 Diego, Korean CA, Cold February War Annual,24 Jacksonville, DC September FL,March 9, 2017 24 El Detroit, Paso, TX MI – NovemberApril 21 4,Rapid 2017 City, Boise. SD, ID May, January 19 Louisville, 20, 2018 KY, San June Diego, 21-24 Ca Washington, – February 24,D.C.** 2018, Fort Myers,August FL – March9-10 Washington, 24, 2018, El D.C.*** Paso TX. September – April 22, 8 Philadelphia 2018, Rapid City, SD CContactontact your your Congressional Congressional Rep Repss through through thethe U.S. Capitol Switchboard - 1-202-224- PLEASE NOTE OUR 3121U.S. Capitalor House SwitchboardCloak Room - 1-202-224- at 1-202- PLENEWASE ADDRESSNOTE OUR NEW 2253121-7350 or House (R) and Cloak 1-202 Room-225-7330 at 1-202- (D) 225-7350 (R) and 1-202-225-7330 (D) ADDRESS Congressional Contacts: It’s almost time to renew your membership. http://congCongressionalress.org/congressorg/home/ Contacts: It’s time to renew your membership. UShttp://congress.org/congressorg/home/ Senate: http://www.senate.gov/ Please take care of it before House:US Senate: http://www.house.gov/ http://www.senate.gov/ Help us continue our work. WhiteHouse: House: http://www.house.gov/ http://www.whitehouse.gov youPlease get busy note with our the new holidays. address White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov KoreaHelp usCold continue War Families our work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oblate the Oblate
    TThehe OOblateblate Newsletter of Newark Abbey Oblates Issue 17 Spring/Summer 07 Inside this issue: FOCUS—Past and Present by: Don Brennan As warm weather approaches we start off this update God. She learned of the oblates in Newark while Focus— at a cooler time, namely, the December, 2006 meeting. attending St. Mary’s Church. She has been an oblate for Fr. John Gorski, M.M., a Maryknoll missioner, spoke over twenty years. Felix Lorenzo had been active in the Past and Present about his missionary experience for the past fifty plus Church but became disenchanted with it. After some Don Brennan years’ association with Maryknoll. After his ordination time he began seeking to fill a void in his life. In his search Fr. John spent all of his years of service in Bolivia except he found The Rule of St. Benedict and the Newark Abbey Meet A Monk for a few years when he was getting his Doctorate in oblates to be the help for his spiritual journey. Kristen Augustine J Curley, Missiology in Rome. He spoke about the Church being Wisniewski was also searching for more direction in her OSB born and not planted from outside. It is born among the spiritual life. She found out about the oblates and people in their own culture and this culture must be contacted Fr. Lucien who said “Come on up” to Sussex. Sesquicentennial Of respected. He said that “Theological diversity is based She traveled to Bethany House, Fr. Lucien’s residence and Benedictines in NJ on a profound respect for the diversity of the human began her venture with Benedictine spirituality.
    [Show full text]
  • Advent 2018 Dear Friends of St
    Advent 2018 Dear Friends of St. Anselm’s, As we near the end of another year, we want to extend our Christmas greetings to all of our wide circle of friends, both those who have known us for decades and those who may have come into contact with the abbey for the first time this year. These include our devoted oblates, the faculty and staff of the abbey school, our students and their parents, as well as our alumni, and all those who come to share in our liturgical prayer and perhaps spend a few days in retreat as guests of the abbey. As is so very evident from the newspapers and television, there are today many stark divisions in both our country and our church. At times the level of discourse gives the impression that those speaking or writing do not even want to hear what those holding other positions have to say. Part of the Benedictine ethos that we strive to pass on to the students in our school teaches a very different approach, for in the third chapter of his Rule St Benedict writes that whenever anything important is to be decided in the monastery, all the monks are to gather to give their advice and that in doing so they are “to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.” Would that everyone would take this instruction to heart! We are most grateful for all the various kinds of support and encouragement that you give us, and we wish you every blessing for this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.
    [Show full text]
  • Two U.S. Sainthood Candidates’ Causes Get Big
    Two U.S. sainthood candidates’ causes get big OK from U.S. bishops WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops gave their go-ahead to two dioceses to continue their efforts to make their case for a priest and a brother to be considered for sainthood. The men are Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, an Army chaplain who died in World War II, and Leonard LaRue, a naval captain who later became a Benedictine monk named Brother Marinus. They are revered for their heroism in World War II and the Korean War, respectively. Their causes were heard June 17, the second day of the bishops’ June 16-18 spring meeting, held online. Using the polling feature on the Zoom online meeting service, each cause received 99% approval from the bishops, reported Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. A simple majority of bishops voting was required for approval. The votes were not to endorse the causes, but rather to confirm the bishops “consider it opportune to advance (them) on the local level.” Father Lafleur was ordained a priest in 1938 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, about six months before the start of World War II. His unit was assigned to Clark Air Field in the Philippines, about 60 miles from Manila. The day after the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor, they bombed Clark, where the young priest tended to the wounded and dying. Ordered to evacuate by ship, Father Lafleur and other attack survivors were bombarded again by the Japanese.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Brill.Com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM Via Free Access
    Patrologia Pacifi ca Tertia 1 Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM via free access . 2 Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM via free access INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The seventh annual conference of the Asia-Pacifi c Early Christian Studies Society (APECSS) gathered in Seoul, South Korea, as an ac- knowledgment of the achievements of Korean scholars in the fi eld of patristic studies. The substantial starting point of patristic studies in Korea was the foundation of the Institutum Patristicum Coreanum on January 17, 2002 under the leadership of Simon Ri, the abbot of the Order of St. Benedict at Waegwan Abbey. The Institutum, organized by Catholic scholars, has played a signifi cant role in developing patristic studies in Korea. It has held semi-annual conferences, publishing several intro- ductory books on patrology. One of the main contributions to patristic studies initiated by its members is the publication of patristic texts with Korean translation and notes modelled on Sources Chrétiennes. Some twenty books have been published in this series. Currently members are engaged in translating the whole series of “Ancient Christian Com- mentary on Scripture.” Another signifi cant project is its endeavour to standardize rendering of titles of patristic works as well as personal and regional names in the early Church. The fi rst fruits are the publica- tion of an index of proper names (persons and locations) related to the early Church up to the seventh century, which gives Latinized names and their standard Korean renderings as well as their English, French, German, and Italian forms.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara Through the Eyes of A
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara Through the Eyes of a Painter: Re-visioning Eighteenth-century Traditional Korean Paintings by Jeong Seon in Virtual Environments A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Media Arts and Technology by Intae Hwang Committee in charge: Professor Marko Peljhan, Co-Chair Professor Alenda Chang, Co-Chair Professor George Legrady June 2019 The dissertation of Intae Hwang is approved. _____________________________________________ George Legrady _____________________________________________ Marko Peljhan, Committee Co-Chair _____________________________________________ Alenda Chang, Committee Co-Chair June 2019 Through the Eyes of a Painter: Re-visioning Eighteenth-century Traditional Korean Paintings by Jeong Seon in Virtual Environments Copyright © 2019 by Intae Hwang iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to my academic committees. Professor George Legrady guided me on this topic. Professor Marko Peljhan was always supporting and encouraging this research during my five years of academic life with his generosity. Lots of discussion and revision with Professor Alenda Chang strengthened and broadened this research. I was happy to work with Professor Laila Sakr in the Wireframe Lab. With a special mention to my mentors in Chicago, Professor Jin Soo Kim gave me the courage to attend this program. I learned all the fundamental methodologies of this research from Professor Christopher Baker, Professor Sung Jang, Professor Jessica Westbrook, and Professor Adam Trowbridge. Very special gratitude goes out to Envisible members, Hyunwoo Bang, and Yunsil Heo who have provided me moral, emotional support. Keehong Youn is my MAT colleague and my roommate, we got over all the difficulties in the life in here Santa Barbara together.
    [Show full text]
  • Daegu Priory Newsletter
    DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER DPN 432 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, South KOREA September-October 2019 “Out of his fullness, We have all received grace In place of grace already given”. - John 1:16 - 1 SISTERS IN HARMONY CELEBRATION! Golden Jubilee – October 9: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” -John 15:16- With the grace of God, the seven Sisters lived faithfully their religious vows and they consecrated themselves again to God during the seven o’clock Eucharistic Mass praying that they live their rest of lives with love of the Lord. Father Thomas Timpte, OSB of Waegwan Abbey guided the golden jubilee retreat; and in the midst of 200 Sisters, Father Thomas presided the Eucharistic Mass and Father Yunil Lee, OSB concelebrated the Mass. After the Mass, all the Sisters joined the celebration breakfast followed by congratulatory events: 5-6 group of Sisters sang beautiful songs, Junior Sisters wearing all kinds of costumes danced merrily with the music “What’s wrong with my age”, novices sang songs and danced joyfully, and postulants danced excitingly and read congratulatory address with their whole hearts. Then, each one shared her thoughts of Golden Jubilee. In each Sister’s brief expression, we felt the long years of religious life with patience and fullness of God’s grace and blessing; and we all gave thanks to God! The day of Golden Jubilee is the day to give gratitude to God for all His grace. The Scripture said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” (John 15:16) These words means that He made us our companions, the great gift of God that we can go this way.
    [Show full text]
  • Thomas Merton's Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond
    Thomas Merton’s Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond: His Interreligious Dialogue, Inter-Monastic Exchanges and Their Legacy by Jaechan Park A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Regis College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology awarded by Regis College and the University of Toronto © Copyright by Jaechan Park 2018 Thomas Merton’s Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond: His, Interreligious Dialogue, Inter-Monastic Exchanges and Their Legacy Jaechan Park Doctor of Theology Regis College and the University of Toronto 2018 Abstract This thesis explores Thomas Merton’s role as a pioneer of Buddhist-Christian dialogue and monastic interreligious dialogue by: 1) delving into the process of Merton’s self-transformation through contemplative experiences; 2) exploring his encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhists and his pioneering engagements in Buddhist-Christian dialogue; 3) presenting and responding to the criticisms of those who raise questions about Merton’s understanding of Buddhism; 4) studying his inter-monastic exchanges with Buddhists at the level of contemplative dialogue; and 5) presenting the ways in which Merton’s pioneering legacy continues in the ongoing Gethsemani Encounters and monastic exchange programs as well as in intra-religious dialogue in an Asian monastic context. Through the lens of Zen, Merton saw the value and possibility of “contemplative dialogue” between monastics and contemplatives of different religious traditions, those men and women who look primarily to a transformation of human consciousness and a spiritual awakening from within their respective traditions. With regard to the future, he hoped that through contemplative dialogue, monastics would strive for “intermonastic communion” and a bonding of the broader “spiritual family” and thus become witnesses of the fundamental unity of humanity to a world that was becoming ever more materialistic and divided.
    [Show full text]
  • Pope Benedict XVI Set to Meet Bush,Anti-Smoking Campaign Earns
    Pope Benedict XVI set to meet Bush VATICAN CITY – U.S. President George W. Bush is coming to the Vatican for his first formal audience with Pope Benedict XVI, a meeting seen on both sides as immensely important. Vatican officials said the June 9 encounter would give the pope and the president a chance to sit down for a survey of dramatic situations around the world, including Iraq, where thousands of Christians have been forced to flee. The Bush administration believes the audience will highlight the shared values and common objectives of the Vatican and the United States. In an interview June 1 with Catholic News Service, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Rooney, said the meeting was “a hugely important reflection” of the president’s respect for the role of the pope and Vatican agencies around the world. “It opens up opportunities for doing good in the world … by leveraging our mutual values and interests in promoting human dignity and religious liberty and for broadening all freedoms,” Rooney said. One specific area of common concern is global terrorism, Rooney said. “Certainly, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the use of religion as an excuse for terror are areas the Holy Father has spoken clearly about,” he said. Vatican officials said one sure topic would be the fate of Iraqi Christians, who have faced increasing violence and discrimination since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003 and the overthrow of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Rooney said the Bush administration is also troubled that thousands of Christians have left Iraq.
    [Show full text]