Focused on the cross: Nine Lovers of the Holy Cross of Vinh sisters make perpetual profession of vows
Nine members of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Vinh made their perpetual profession of vows on August 9 at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Olson at Vietnamese Martyrs Church in Arlington. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
ARLINGTON — They entered the church carrying a burning candle.
At baptism and at the Easter vigil, the Church uses a burning candle to symbolize the light of Christ, a light which burned brightly in nine sisters who professed “to consecrate myself completely to God the Father in the service of my brothers and sisters.”
Before a large congregation, nine members of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Vinh made their perpetual profession of vows on August 9 at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Olson at Vietnamese Martyrs Church in Arlington.
Bishop Olson said, “This is the most glorious thing that the Lord has provided, not only for these sisters who have been persevering in preparing for this perpetual, loving spousal commitment to Jesus and His cross, but also for all of us, the Church, who require their witness of holiness of life to be mindful, to remind us — to be faithful to the Gospel is not an impossibility when we rely on Christ and His grace.”
The journey to perpetual profession has been long, both in time and distance. The sisters entered the convent in Vietnam 12, 14, even 16 years ago, and they took their first vows as novitiates six to nine years ago. The year prior to final profession was more intense, filled with extra study and preparation and culminating with a 10-day retreat.
The journey has covered a great distance also, almost 9,000 miles from their home in Vietnam to the U.S., a country with a different language and culture — not to mention first-time experiences like driving a car and seeing snow.
Home away from home
In Vietnam, about 1,200 Lovers of the Holy Cross sisters serve in education, social work, health care, and catechesis in a religious order that dates to 1671.
In 2017, a convent was established in the Diocese of Fort Worth to serve as a home during the summer months and Christmas holidays for LHC sisters studying at Catholic universities in the U.S. Travel to their homeland during breaks is cost prohibitive.
Currently, eight LHC sisters live at the Arlington convent year round, serving at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, and Vietnamese Martyrs Parish.
During the summer, the convent swells as 15 more sisters who are studying at Catholic universities in Michigan, New Jersey, Iowa, and Texas join them.
Studies usually begin with English, then they transition to nursing, education, theology, health science, or social work.
During summers and breaks in Arlington, the sisters visit the elderly and others in need and help in local parishes with large Vietnamese populations.
Sister Magdalene Hong Thi Nguyen, LHC, explained, “Because we received a special gift [from God] of peace, joy, and happiness, we need to share it with people around us, especially the people who are in need.”
The Profession
On August 9, Superior General Mary Nga Nguyen, LHC, who arrived the previous week from Vietnam, welcomed the large congregation to witness “the unlimited love and faithfulness of God in our lives.”
The bilingual Mass, in English and Vietnamese, was rich with symbolism of the sisters professing Jesus Christ Crucified as “the one and only object of my mind and heart.”
Before the homily, the candidates were presented to the congregation. Bishop Olson said, “Today, the Church celebrates with you. For you have heard the voice of the Lord and He has chosen you as His own before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him. May the Lord continue your joy in His love for you.”
At the conclusion of the homily, Bishop Olson asked a series of questions to determine their readiness “to undertake that life of perfect chastity, obedience, and poverty, which Christ, our Lord, and His virgin mother chose for themselves, and to persevere in it forever” with the help of God.
The sisters then lay prostrate in front of the altar while the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints, uniting their prayers with the intercession of the Church Triumphant.
The sisters rose, and in groups of three, recited their vows in unison to the superior general.
The bishop presented the sisters with a ring and a cross to mark their admittance as lifelong members of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Vinh. The sisters turned to face the congregation and displayed the crucifixes to the congregation, then turned around and drew the crucifixes tightly to their hearts.
The profession of vows concluded with hugs from fellow sisters.
Sister Magdaline Dong Thi Nguyen reflected on taking permanent vows. She said, “For me, I'm grateful and happy, because God, I realize, looked at me first, so I have an opportunity to learn about Him and to show others Him. I hope I keep faithful and give thanks for His goodness all my life.
“One more thing is that we receive a lot of love from others, from the Vietnamese people and from whoever we meet and whoever we know,” she concluded, expressing appreciation for prayers and support they receive.
The sisters’ joy and gratitude were evident at the reception that followed Mass, where they performed several traditional Vietnamese dances. The following morning, Our Lady of Fatima Parish held a Thanksgiving Mass for the vocations of these sisters.
A short two days later, the nine sisters took another step in their vocation journeys, returning to their respective colleges to continue their studies with the light and love of Christ burning within them.