The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities invites you to the oral defense of the M.A. Thesis entitled “Enriching The Theological Understanding of The Vow of Obedience of The Congregation of The Blessed Korean Martyrs (BMC) Through St. John Paul II’s Understanding of Obedience As Dialogue” by NGUYEN VAN HOA, B.M.C. on 22 May 2025, Thursday, 3:00 p.m. at the Tipanan ni San Ignacio, DLC 201, 2/F Dela Costa Bldg., Loyola School of Theology. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Manuel Francisco, S.J., S.T.D. (Adviser), Fr. Emmanuel Marfori, S.Th.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Fr. Reginaldo Mananzan, S.J., J.C.D., and Fr. Abundio Babor Jr., M.S.C., S.T.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theological Studies specializing in the field of Pastoral Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: This research aims to enrich the theological underpinnings of the vow of obedience to the religious life of the Congregation of the Blessed Korean Martyrs (BMC) using St. John Paul II’s view of obedience as dialogue. Through St. John Paul II’s view of obedience, the study argues that there are more valuable theological insights into the vow of obedience of the BMC members found in the official texts of the congregation. Among these insights is that religious life rests on the communal representation of experience, where obedience takes a communicative form, an effective communication platform for dialogue and religious practices in the BMC Congregation. That said, the study articulates the theological meanings and significance of obedience as understood by the BMC congregation’s constitutional and doctrinal documents, the Catholic Church’s teachings, and St. John Paul II’s theological perspectives.
