SW News: Even though the Catholic Church faces oppression in communist-ruled Vietnam, it throbs with vitality and witnesses growth. In spite of difficult times, contemplative life is flourishing. A new monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns has come up in the central highlands. Located in Chu Pah district of Gia Lai province, St Joseph Monastery was blessed on June 7 by Bishop Aloisius Nguyen Hung Vi of Kontum Diocese. It will be home to 16 nuns and three novices.

The blessing of the building and the papal cloister was attended by 15 priests, Carmelite religious from other parts of Vietnam and believers. The prelate exhorted everyone present to show gratitude to God for the showers of blessings and for the presence of the cloistered Carmelite nuns in the diocese. It was on March 14 that the Holy See’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the new monastery.

Bishop Hung Vi, 70, added, “The ascetic life with constant prayer and silent sacrifice is definitely like breath and lungs to bring God's blessings to Kontum Diocese. The monastery serves as a heart of prayer giving vitality to the local Church."

He also said that the Church in Kontum was elated to have the Discalced Carmelite nuns in their midst to pray for evangelization efforts. Bishop Hung Vi also expressed hope that the young foundation will exhibit steady growth, making a big spiritual impact on the local Church.

The local ordinary also expressed gratitude to the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Sai Gon, Ho Chi Minh City, as its prioress was instrumental in creating the new monastery in Kontum. Way back in 2006, the then bishop of Kontum the Most Rev. Michael Hoang Duc Oanh invited some cloistered Carmelite nuns from Ho Chi Minh City to his diocese. They resided on the premises of the Bishop’s House in Kontum city. The prelate then took the initiative to purchase a plot of land in Hoa Phu Parish in Gia Lai province to build a new monastery. In 2007, the nuns shifted to the building that was still unfinished. But when the work got stalled, they had to return to Ho Chi Minh City. Finally, after a long wait, the cloistered nuns are here to stay.

Founded by St Teresa of Avila in the 16th century, the Discalced Carmelite nuns are totally contemplative, unlike the friars. They live within a strict papal enclosure and are engaged in holy reading, reciting the divine office, performing personal acts of mortification and engaging in manual labor. They also pray for the intentions of the local Church and believers. Be it anywhere in the world, each Discalced Carmelite monastery is autonomous and it is directly under the Holy See. The nuns have the option to seek spiritual and pastoral support from either the local diocese or the Discalced Carmelite friars.