Last Thursday evening I enjoyed visiting the Vietnamese Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross. We are blessed to have so many of these sisters serving in the Archdiocese of Seattle. They have three houses, one in Lakewood, where we gathered Thursday, one in Seatac and one in Kent.
Consecrated men and women are a true blessing and enrich the life of the Church. By living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience they seek to mirror the life of Jesus. In fact, the name ‘evangelical counsels’ comes from the Gospel itself.
Their life is a witness which says very positively that God is enough. God is the true ‘wealth’ of every person. Finally, God’s will is the path to true freedom and fulfillment. I experienced a great joy while I was with these sisters.
Most of them are engaged in parish ministry, primarily at Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila and St. Pope John XXIII parish in Tacoma. From catechesis and faith formation, to youth ministry, parish communication and even one working with college students, their lives are a generous gift of service to others, which is the heart of every Christian vocation.
Upon arrival at their home, our first stop was the chapel where we offered a brief prayer and asked for God’s blessing.
One other primary practice which we all benefit from is their dedication to prayer. The sisters daily attend Mass, have quiet time in Eucharistic Adoration as well as pray the Liturgy of the Hours and no doubt their own personal devotions. In the backyard they have a grotto to our Blessed Mother and a nice shrine for St. Joseph.
Let us give thanks for the many consecrated men and women who prayerfully make a gift of their lives in service to God. Additionally, let us ask the Lord to bless us with more vocations to religious life and priesthood.
God bless!
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