By: Sr. Mai-Dung Nguyen,OP

Since last October, I have been navigating the challenges of my dad’s declining health and his eventual passing. Over the past six months, I have poured my heart into helping my mom and family care for him as he moved between hospitals and ICUs. This journey has exposed a profound transition between two distinct worlds: one defined by the stability of my religious community and the other marked by the uncertainties of caring for my family and my father’s health.

As I traverse the landscapes of Western and Eastern cultures, I seesaw between feelings of desolation and hope, life, and death. I’ve come to realize that much of the knowledge I've gained is geared toward Western contexts and adapting it to my Vietnamese culture has proven challenging. In Vietnamese culture, familial bonds play a significant role in decision-making regarding my dad's care, presenting us with diverse views on suffering, quality of life, and the divine's role in these choices. Initially, I felt frustrated and disappointed by my perceived inability to apply my education to this situation. (I studied medicine in Vietnam, engineering here in the U.S., and am currently enrolled in a master’s program in spirituality.)  Reading the book Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Direction of Color opened my eyes and my heart to how to animate my education into daily life.

In this book, Jung Eun Sophia Park reminded me that “in a culture that includes different cultures, the cross-cultural aspect should be considered seriously.”¹ He also observes that “students who do not belong to the mainstream culture not only face challenges in learning and evaluation but also struggle to apply their knowledge in practice.”¹  These insights have shown me that failure can spark awareness and inspired me to apply my knowledge in real-life situations. This was a real opportunity for growth. Rather than succumbing to frustration, I began to embrace the beauty of integration, to reflect on and incorporate my experiences into my ministries.

I have become more attuned to the vulnerable situations of patients and the heartfelt grief of families in the ICU. Each experience of suffering and farewelling a loved one is unique, often transcending words. Witnessing the grief of others and navigating the profound transition of life and death with my dad has deepened my convictions, hope, and compassion, empowering me to support others on their spiritual journeys.

In the same book, Rev. Dr. Holmes beautifully states, “Spiritual direction is an art form, a gift of presence and discernment in the midst of crisis.”¹ My journey of shared grief with my dad has deepened my understanding of the sufferings of Jesus and Mary during the Passion, as well as the hope of the disciples longing to see Jesus after the Ascension. These experiences have taught me to embrace life with peace and gratitude, to recognize the Divine within and around me, and to begin following in my dad's footsteps, just as the disciples spread Jesus’ legacy.

I am currently transitioning back into vocational ministry and moving to a new convent. As I face these changes, I commit to approaching each step with intention and discernment. The steadfast support of my congregation, and the powerful message from Mark 1:38—where Jesus urges His disciples, "Let us go somewhere else, to the nearby villages, so I can preach there also"—resonates deeply within me. They strengthen my trust in God as I embark on this new chapter of my life.

The call to follow Jesus in religious life moves us to embrace our experiences in various situations and integrate them into Jesus’ mission with trust and courage. This sacred vocation enables us to say yes and live out the fruits of our integration by preaching what we have experienced. How do you see yourself seeking God amid daily uncertainties, crises, and diverse environments? With the support of your faith community, how much space do you allow for God to work within your beliefs—including your vulnerabilities, frustrations, and failures—as you search for your vocation and strive to be a messenger of God’s word to others? We invite you to visit our website, especially our page about ‘become a sister’, or contact our vocation team for assistance in your discernment journey to follow God’s call.

Reference

1. Bryant-Johnson, Sherry; Norman-McNaney, Rosalie; and Taylor-Stinson, Therese. (2014) Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Direction of Color. Morehouse Publishing, (Pg. 21, 25 & 7).