About Us
History
"Hat Cai," or "Mustard Seeds" is a Catholic Vietnamese prayer and support group that is based on Saint Ignatius' spiritual exercises and is found only at UC Irvine. The group is a part of the greater umbrella group Dong Hanh, an international Catholic Vietnamese adult group based on Ignatian spirituality. In addition, Hat Cai is a part of the greater UCI University Catholic Community that is composed of four other Catholic organizations.
Hat Cai began in 1985 after four college students attended a Linh Thao retreat and wanted to continue their spirituality upon returning home. Moreover, they wanted to share their religious experience and deepen their faith and understanding in Catholicism with other college students. These four individuals centered the group on Ignatius' teachings. Even now, members of Hat Cai follow the teachings of Ignatian spirituality.
Ignatian spirituality has at its center the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus, and invites people to come to know, love and follow Jesus more wholeheartedly as Ignatius did. This spirituality teaches us that while we live in a world of much darkness and brokenness, God is passionately involved with all creation, working to bring healing and reconciliation, justice, hope, forgiveness and love to everyone. Not only does Hat Cai follow Dong Hanh in its foundation of Ignatian spirituality, but Hat Cai also adopts Dong Hanh's "Three Pillars," which help members focus on specific areas to become deeper Catholics. These Three Pillars include social companionship, spiritual discernment and service to others.
Social companionship is nurtured throughout the year and is particularly focused on during UCI's fall quarter, from the months of September to December. To encourage social companionship, Hat Cai provides new and old members with get-togethers, recreational activites, dinners and other forms of entertainment so that everyone can befriend each other while having fun. Such social activities that occur throughout the year include our Friday Night Dinners, Christmas Party, Tet Party, Graduation Party, Summer Camping and Summer Bonfire. Oftentimes, members simply get together on their own time to grab some pho, play some competitive hockey or simply ride their bikes down Pacific Coast Highway.
Spiritual discernment is at Hat Cai's core that members strive to deepen at all times. The state of each individual's spirituality is reflected on at Hat Cai's weekly Monday Night Meetings. During our meetings, members settle themselves into meditation, contemplate over a Bible passage, faith share and reflect over their day in the Examen of Consciousness. In addition, Hat Cai encourages members to attend Small Group Meetings, which follow the same format of formal Monday Night Meetings but are more condensed. It is during UCI's winter quarter, from the months of January to March, that spirituality is especially focused on in order to prepare members for Hat Cai's Annual Retreat, which is our most important event that spans over at least three days and gives members some time to quietly reflect on themselves and God.
Service to others is a part of being a Catholic and a Hat Cai member. During UCI's spring quarter, spanning the months of April to June, service is the focused theme. Nonetheless, Hat Cai provides opportunities for members to participate in service projects on a monthly basis throughout the year. Service projects include visiting orphanages, distributing food to underprivileged families and singing at nursing homes, to name a few. However, service to others is not only limited to those who are less fortunate, but also extends to UCI's Interfaith Community, Dong Hanh and our families. We help at the functions of Interfaith's various organizations, volunteer to organize fundraisers, workshops and church services for Dong Hanh, and put together an entire evening of dinner and entertainment -- a two-month preparation called "Family Night" -- for our family and friends.
As Hat Cai members, we strive to grow, understand and discern our identity and spirituality as Catholics.
Monday Night Meeting Format
- Introductions
- Opening Prayer and Song
- Activity
- Meditation
- Reading and Faith Sharing
- Examen of Consciousness
- Evaluations
- Peace Hugs