On Tuesday, September 5th, the Center of Ignatian Spirituality (CIS) of the Vietnam Province launched, at Ho Nai (Name of retreat center), the new academic year 2023-24. Fr. Nguyen Duc Hanh, CIS Director, Fr. Nguyen Van Tang, Assistant Director and CIS Staff welcomed the guests including John Do Van Ngan, Bishop of Xuan Loc Diocese and Joseph Tran Van Toan, Bishop of Long Xuyen Diocese and the superiors of the religious communities whose members are program participates.
Fr. Hanh introduced both programs: The Training Program in Spiritual Accompaniment and Giving the Spiritual Exercises (Accompany program) which is in its fourth year of operation operates for 7.5 months; the Program in Ongoing Formation for Formators (Formation program) which is in its second year operates for 3.5 months. Fr. Julio Giulietti offered some comments on the purpose of each program.
There are 18 participants in the Accompany program and 20 in the Formation program. They come from all over the country and live in Saigon for the length of their program. There is near equal gender balance in each program. Participants are chosen by their bishop or religious superior, and undergo an intensive application and selection process. Each year there are some lay persons attending the Accompany Program.
Participants in the Accompany program begin with an eight-day retreat at Ho Nai followed by two days of review and reflection. Those in the Formation program star orientation at CIS the next day.
Some pictures:
