Two professed at the Monastery of the Visitation in Scy-Chazelles
Sister Maria Teresa and Sister Françoise-Marie pronounced their first vows of chastity, poverty and obedience January 24, 2014 Feast of Saint Francis de Sales, the monastery of the Visitation in Scy-Chazelles, FRANCE. They are a response to the love they have received from Christ. Interview with two professed.
Can you introduce yourself?
Maria Teresa – I was born in Vietnam 31 years ago and I am the twelfth in a family of twelve children. My dad said affectionately that “there were twelve apostles.” I earned my undergraduate degree and went to study at the university. I also worked as an accountant, as a hotel receptionist and secretary.
Françoise-Marie : I was born in Vietnam and I am 29 years old. We are nine brothers and sisters and I am the sixth sibling. I learned to pray with Dad and my family lives in a Christian way. One of my sisters is in the Visitation at Caen. I worked in the cultivation of the fields with my parents and I was selling furniture.
How did you hear the call?
Maria Teresa – I made my confirmation in Vietnam and this time the words hit me. The sister with whom I exchanged then told me: “It is Jesus that you see, all that you live is for him.” At this point, I did not think of a religious vocation. I wanted to work, get married and have children. But the sister with whom I had talked which was a Franciscan Missionary of Mary, asked me to come and pray at a time of worship once a week. I went there. I went to Mass and I participated in a group to learn how to pray. One day, someone told me, “Maybe you have a religious vocation.” I replied that I did not believe that. I earned my bachelor’s and I went to university. At the same time, at the invitation of a sister, I tried religious life in community. Because my health is fragile, I quit college and I gave up my journey with the religious community. But I was not happy. Deep sadness remained in my heart. A little later, I had a Vietnamese friend who had to return to the monastery of the Visitation at Caen. Before leaving France, she came to see me. We talked and she asked me if I wanted to become a nun. I replied: “Never. You, you can go to France and become a nun. Me, I want to be like everyone else, get married and have children. ” But once the friend left, I was not happy and I could not find peace. Some time later, the friend phoned me and asked me to try the religious life in the Visitation. I agreed and that is how I arrived in France September 10, 2010 for one year to learn French.
Françoise-Marie : One of my sisters is at Visitation at Caen. She asked me one day if I saw myself as a nun. I told her I did not know and I hesitated. A little later, she asked me a second time. So I thought I’d try the religious life and that’s why I came here in Scy-Chazelles because it is not necessarily good for two sisters to be in the same monastery. And I found my calling. My sister prayed a lot for me, I have Visitation vocation and also pray for my brothers and sisters.
Is it difficult to live in France?
Maria Theresa – The arrival was difficult. I did not know the language. Customs and climate are very different from Vietnam. It was in France that I discovered snow. There are also large differences in food. In Vietnam, fish is the main food and there is a lot more vegetables here.
Françoise-Marie : It was difficult, especially because of the language. At first it was hard because all socio-cultural cues are different Now it’s been four years since I’ve been here. This is much better.
What is your job in the community?
Maria Teresa – I work in bookbinding. I also help to clean the kitchen or when there is need. I also do research on the institution, the rule of life of the community and I learn to play the organ.
Françoise-Marie : I am learning to sew and make dresses for all my sisters.
What is your commitment?
Maria Teresa and Françoise-Marie – We will make the three vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Chastity is the choice of celibacy for God. Poverty, we live with nothing personally, but putting everything in common with the other sisters. Obedience is first obey Jesus, the Mistress of Novices and Superior. It is also to continue the spirit of the Visitation o, that is to say, do everything by love and not by force. If we love Jesus, nothing is hard and even sweeping, if done out of love, we can win souls. Collect dust allows us to offer pearls to the Lord if we live by love. All makes sense if we offer it to Jesus and win souls through small acts that we live with love. Thus we can save the world.
Can yourfamilies come to this commitment?
Maria Teresa and Françoise-Marie – No, because air travel is very expensive. But on Jan. 28, we will leave for a few months in Vietnam and we go especially for the New Year, when families gather together and where all are there. We return to France in our community for 17 March.
How do you picture the first commitment?
Maria Teresa – This is the greatest joy for me. To take vows is to respond to the immense love that Jesus gives us. It is He who found me and it is his love that drew me. Jesus needs our love for all and it is our duty to stay with him forever.
Françoise-Marie : This is a strong commitment. It is Jesus who chose us and we respond to his call. We choose to give our love to Jesus and live in prayer, because prayer is important.
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More:
> Website of The Visitation Monastery in Scy-Chazelles