“For the love of Christ impels us” (2 Cor. 5:14)

My call to the religious life comes neither as a surprising waterspout nor a cupid’s arrow. Rather, my invitation to the life of religious consecration analogously resembles a seed that is sown, nurtured and pruned in due seasons. The sower is no other than God Himself, whom I unceasingly adore and love.
 
I was born and raised in the rural countryside of my beloved homeland of Vietnam. The church bells harmonizing with the chanting of devotional prayers each morning and evening were the sweet lullabies that I have heard since I was formed in the womb of my mother. As I grew in grace and reason, the parish church across the street became a familiar and intimate haven. By the age of four, my parents sent me to school with the local Dominican Sisters until they were transferred a year later. Their sudden disappearance from my childhood figuratively foreshadowed my vocation seed as being snatched by the birds (cf Mt 13:4), but oh-no! the Sower would never allowed such predicament to determine my future. During high school, my family migrated to Sai-gòn and providentially I reconnected with the brides of Christ. I was blessed to have the Sisters of Mary Queen (Trinh Vương) as my catechists. The seed once thought drowned and buried too deep, now suddenly reemerged in fertile soil and began to germinate expeditiously. I remembered fondly those adolescent years painted with big, big dreams and ambitions. My future was so promising and bright, yet, deep within the recesses of my fleshy human heart, I always felt that I still lacked something more, something greater! I had no clue what this something was! until one day, while I was attending Mass and the verses from the responsorial psalm hit me like a tsunami,

“One thing I ask the Lord;
this I seek
To dwell in the Lord’s house
all the days of my life” (Ps 27:4).

From that day forward, I prayed over these words and I asked God to help me to do His will. Little by little God revealed to me His love and mercy. I remember vividly a particular moment in prayer while discerning my vocation. I meditated on the love of Christ who died on the cross to set me free and to give me His life that the experience of God’s love was so strong that it led me to the search and contacted the convent. I wanted to respond to that love by giving my whole life to God and His Bride, the Church, and for the salvation of men. I wanted to follow Christ and be one with Him, “For the love of Christ impels us” (2Cor.5:14). With the help of my uncle who is also a priest of the Archdiocese Washington D.C., I have “Come” and “Seen” firsthand the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province’s way of life and immediately felt at home; this is where God has always wanted me to take root and blossom. I have been in religious life for more than six years and enjoy it very much. I am so blessed to be in the house of the Lord each day that I would rather not be elsewhere (cf Ps 84:10). I give thanks to God always for His unconditional love, especially in calling me to be a bride of Christ.
 
There is no doubt that I am attracted to the Dominican charism. The more I learn, the more I cherish it. I enjoy living in community where the Sisters and I live for the glory of God and strive for sanctity each day. We pray the liturgy in common with and for the Church. The quest and thirst for truth and the salvation of souls further bring me great satisfaction and fulfillment.
 
Currently, I am on mission at Our Lady of Fatima Convent in Port Arthur. I am also working towards a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Lamar University and on weekends I teach a catechism class and participate in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement at Queen of Mary Parish. I find indescribable joy and delight in my vocation and apostolate.
 
These days are nothing but grace-filled hours and moments. I want to live each second in a spirit of profound gratitude like when I first pronounced my religious profession of vows, “in thanksgiving to Triune God and response to His Love who has chosen for religious consecration.”  To me, “All is grace” (St. Therese of Lisieux). Let’s us give thanks to God.