“I do not choose for myself a path filled with rare blossoms and sweet fragrance; I choose only to radiate perfume along every road upon which I walk.”
As a Passionist sister, living with the deep yearning to be conformed to the image of Christ in the mysteries of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, I embrace the sacred meaning of this calling with all my heart. I carry an unending desire to dedicate myself to service, not keeping anything for myself, but growing in heartfelt communion with others, especially those who suffer. I yearn to share with them our faith and hope in the One who revealed His love in its fullest measure upon the Cross, and I am driven by a burning desire to go forth and make that love known to all. Above all, I realize that it is not a matter of whether I am capable enough to contribute, but whether I am ready to yield myself as an instrument in His hands. Whenever God calls-through the mission entrusted to me by my Congregation-my soul responds instantly: “Here I am, Lord! I come to do Your will.”
This summer, Sister Emily and I were entrusted with a mission in Vinh – Nghe An. We were warmly invited by Fr. JB Trịnh Công Tuệ, CP, Superior of the Passionist Monastery of Our Lady of Sorrows in Vinh, together with Fr. Quyền and Brother Paul Cầu. It was our first time collaborating with them, and we were deeply touched by their tender care, understanding, and heartfelt dedication. Though Fr. JB Tuệ was laboring tirelessly amid the busy demands of constructing and finishing the monastery building, he generously poured out his energy and devotion to ensure the success of this summer’s pastoral mission.
Vinh – Nghe An, a province in Central Vietnam, is renowned for its harsh land filled with scorching sun and wild winds. I can still vividly recall our first few days meeting the parishioners; they kept asking about our well-being, worried that we wouldn’t survive the brutal climate. Truth be told, during our first week in Vinh, the sweltering heat approaching 40°C left me dizzy and unsteady. Yet, through the loving care of the priests and the warmth of the local faithful, that terrifying heat dissolved entirely into the gentle coolness of human kindness.
Throughout this pastoral trip, I truly immersed my soul in this land and its people. Làng Nam Parish and Kẻ Sừa Mission Chapel lie near our monastery, and there we poured our hearts into ministering to the children and parishioners. The local people are extraordinarily endearing and sweet—welcoming, hospitable, and burning with pious faith. They earn their living through various trades, though mostly through farming. The children are so well-behaved, adorable, and respectful; whether under the blazing sun or in torrential downpours, they came to class faithfully in great numbers.
As I sit here writing these lines, their charming, lisping voices still echo softly in my ears, making me miss them dearly. “Sister, will you come back next year?” “When you return to Saigon, how will we ever see you again?” Sometimes, these were just fleeting, innocent questions from the children, yet they brought a sudden sting to my eyes. On our final farewell day, a little child burst into tears and clung tightly to me, refusing to let go despite her mother’s gentle soothing, sobbing: “I miss you so much, I want to keep learning with you.” Even today, upon my return home, my phone rang, and I heard a sweet, innocent voice mixed with bright laughter: “Sister! It’s me, Phong! Have you made it home yet? I miss you so much…” Once again, a sting touched my eyes, and tears fell softly before I even realized. I know that two months are not long enough to impart all the knowledge they need, but I firmly believe that our presence helped them discover simple joys in life that will illuminate their future.
This pastoral mission brought me profound peace and fulfillment. Despite the demanding schedule, we held fast to our daily Mass, the Divine Office, and precious quiet moments of Eucharistic Adoration. I always remind myself that wherever I go on a mission, I must possess God within my soul first; only when our hearts are filled with His presence can we truly go forth and bring Him to others. Eight short weeks flew by, leaving so many unwritten pages I wished to continue, yet I had to “come down from the mountain” to return to the everyday life of a religious sister, back to my duties and the mission within my Congregation.
Martha Le Thi Thuong, cp
Vietnam Community
