Symposium on the theme “Heart” at the Organ for Universalizing Caodai Teaching
Upon the invitation of Huệ Ý, a Caodai priest and the Secretary General of the Organ for Universalizing Caodai Teaching, Fr. Francis Xavier Bảo Lộc led a Catholic delegation to the Organ, joining the symposium on May 11, 2014. The attendees included lots of Catholic monks, nuns and the faithful of Caodaism. Fr. Francis Xavier Bảo Lộc is a Catholic priest and the Head of the Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue. He was the guest speaker of the occasion.
After “Humanism Window”, a brief presentation related to Vesak 2014, Fr. Bảo Lộc began sharing his understanding of the theme “Heart” according to the Catholic Tradition. His talk consisted of three parts as follows:
I. THE CROSS AS THE COMPASS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE
1. The cross is present everywhere
2 . Dimensions of the Holy Cross
3 . The Meaning of the Holy Cross: reconciling heaven and earth - God and Humanity
4 . Distinguish the Holy Cross from the cross
II . SACRED HEART: SOURCE, CENTRE AND WAY FOR A CHRISTIAN LIFE
1. The “Heart” in Eastern religions
2 . Two Catholic practices associated with the Heart of God
- Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Movement of the Divine Mercy
3 . Characteristics of the Sacred Heart
4 . Desires for a Life of Intimacy with God
III . EUCHARIST: THE SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS ON THEIR FAITH JOURNEY
1. God in His divinity humbled himself to become Man like us: A Manifestation of His self-giving and gratuitous love for Humanity
2. Realization of the mystic union of Heaven (God) and man
3 . Spiritual Food for one’s soul
4 . Spiritual cure/healing for an impoverished soul.
In conclusion, the speaker talked about the hearts of Jesus' disciples:
"Without heart, the cross or suffering is only a life’s burden.
The laws, rules and regulations of religious life seemed to impede or limit the freedom of young people. But for those who are willing to lead the lives of trained monks to become missionaries, such laws, rules and regulations make them closer to the heart of God.
The union of man’s mind to God and the Sacred Heart of Jesus make our minds open to the infinite and the evil mind will be purified as it is burned by the love of the Sacred Heart.
When our minds are purified, our souls will be transparent. Then, through purified minds, the light and power of God illuminates the lives of Jesus' disciples.
When our life is fully devoted to God, our hearts become empty and God dwells entirely in our life.
After the talk of Fr. Francis Xavier Bảo Lộc, the Caodai believers were empathetic with what he had just shared.
Then, Fr. Francis Xavier Bảo Lộc and Sr. Hồng Vân answered some questions about Catholic faith and contemplative life.
The souvenirs were exchanged at the end of the symposium at 11am. However, before saying goodbye, there remained some personal contacts between the Caodaists and Catholics.
Fr. Bảo Lộc’s talk helped both Caodaists and Catholics come closer to each other. Indeed, a better understanding was built, and an increasing friendship was strengthened despite some differences between the two faiths.
Diocesan Commission for interreligious dialogue of HCM City