Culture of the Heart

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Several of our Sisters of St. Joseph took a trip to Vietnam this past spring. Sisters Lorren Harbin, Dian Hall, and Janet LeDuc travelled to visit several convents which our visiting Sisters are from. An online relationship has been formed as several of our CSJ Sisters teach English proficiency to many Vietnamese Sisters, but to connect in person and experience their culture was a special opportunity.
Vietnam Spring 2024

It is truly a trip of a lifetime and a celebration of our connectedness through our common religious life and missions. While our charisms may be slightly different, our joint efforts in working with the marginalized and with poverty is obviously a Holy Spirit-driven service to the needs of the times in our respective countries. The focus of our trip was to connect in person and better understand the culture and where our Vietnamese sisters work and live when in their home country. Also, to be with the religious communities that we, as Sisters of St. Joseph, are helping with English proficiency so that they know who is caring for and working with their beloved sisters while in the US. We visited the Dominican sisters, the Mary Queen of Peace Sisters, and the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters. Each community was different in its charism and traditions, but all three are devoted to working with the ethnic minorities and establishing excellent educational instruction for the youth of the country in their respective cities and countryside. They also ensure that the youth are educated not only academically but also learn about God, faith, and devotion and have a solid grounding in values and work ethics. The high standards are very evident, as shown by the students in their end-of-year staged events and presentations they had practiced for their families, and we got to see their rehearsals. The enthusiasm and precise artistic and creative performances were fabulous representations of the skills they had acquired.
We visited a Catholic elementary school, Catholic kindergartens, an orphanage, also visited and witnessed, helping distribute bread and candies to the ethnic families out in countryside villages. The Sisters carefully make visits to the poor villages often and work around the government restrictions to provide services and food to the poor facilitating various donations to collect the goods and make sure they reach the needy.
No rest for the weary as the convents rise early due to the temperatures of this country being coolest at night. So, we were at prayer at 4:30 a.m., then Mass at 5:00 a.m. and breakfast at 6:00 a.m. The day starts early and ends late, usually around 10:00 p.m.  
My experience of being briefly immersed in the culture and the country was one of gratitude, insight into the realities of a developing country, and the love and care that the people have for each other. It seems that Vietnamese culture is one of the heart, and my heart was definitely touched and filled with love, affection, and support for all they do for each other and for the world as they share their wares, gifts, and talents to better their environment for the future.
~ Lorren Harbin, CSJ

The CSJ Sisters joined the life of Sisters in the complex to learn the culture and experience the Vietnamese congregations. Sister Janet painted a beautiful picture of Vietnam. She described the congregations as “a hidden oasis surrounded by the chaos of daily activities of society all around them. She would awaken each early morning to the sound of prayer in song with nature alive in the courtyard, surrounded by honking horns in traffic out on the street.
Sister Janet felt like Christianity has given significant meaning to the lives of the Vietnamese, and Catholicism is an essential aspect of their culture. It became a powerful system of belief despite opposition from Vietnamese kings.
Many times, she mentioned the closeness and crowdedness of the streets and living conditions but said, “The people really value humanity and have a deep respect for one another and their surroundings.”
“I was reminded of how our congregation operated when I first joined by the missions within the community. Everything within is taken care of by the Sisters, from making hosts, caring for their flowers and grounds, making the most delicious yogurt, and so many other essential daily tasks.
Many missions are taken outside of the complex. Travel is done by motorbikes, which are abundant. Their ministry serves many children in orphanages, daycares, and preschools.
One of the experiences that she found very touching was the Sisters’ ministry reaching out and helping the indigenous people. Many of the Sisters even live with them and help to provide them with the most basic provisions.
“The role of religious congregations has enriched and brought unique attributes of the Gospel to all people in the Vietnamese religion and cultures,” she explained.
Traveling from north to south showed a distinct difference. Southern Vietnam seemed to be a liberal, open-minded society of many ethnic groups. The northern area was more traditional in its long-standing customs, respect for its ancestors, close-knit communities, and rice cultivation.
“The hospitality was wonderful everywhere we went. It was an opportunity that I can hardly believe I had,” she said.