Initial Vows are a Time To Pause and Give Thanks
by Sisters Dorothy Achieng, CSC, and Lupa Hajong, CSC
It was a special day. That day, June 19, 2021, we pronounced our initial vows. It was the celebration of an end and a new beginning of our journey in Holy Cross. We were overjoyed to know that sisters around the world were celebrating with us as we said our “Yes” to God through our ministry of care for humanity and the whole of creation. We are filled with courage, enthusiasm and zeal to use these gifts in response to the needs of the world.
We have lived through a difficult time in the history of the world this past year and a half as a result of the coronavirus. There were days when we felt overwhelmed by all the illness and death. However, courage and perseverance in God’s grace opened new possibilities. We learned through our experience to say, “All will be well.” Such hope in the Spirit that sees good in the worst compelled us to navigate through the waves and storms of the pandemic.
As we celebrate our reception of vows, we pause to take a look back to see what we are grateful for and what we want to explore and cultivate as newly professed members of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. We are grateful for the persons whose prayers, insights, encouragement and faith made us feel the loving embrace of God, especially in the most difficult times. Thank you to our novitiate directors, our spiritual directors, our mentors, our teachers, our families and friends, to the sisters in the community at Saint Mary’s, and to all the sisters in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Thank you for being with us when we needed it most. In times of joy you joined in our laughter and added to our happiness. When we felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges you calmed and guided us through the storms. We held our heads high and faced the Light that dispels the dark. You inspired us to hold on to love and to trust the embrace of God’s love.
We realize the seed for our future in the Congregation has been planted already. We have learned more about ourselves by living in community and serving the people of God through our ministry. We have learned to respect creation and to treasure the time we are given to explore the ways in which God continues to work in our lives. It is our task now to nurture the seed so it will grow through our lives in community and ministry, wherever we are. We hope and pray the seed grows into a mighty tree.
The International Novitiate provided a safe environment for our spiritual, physical, emotional and mental growth. It was as though we were in the life-giving womb of Holy Cross during those two years. It gifted us with time for reflecting, for listening to ourselves, and for valuing body, mind and spirit. May the provident God who travels with us grant us grace, wisdom and strength for our life journey in Holy Cross.
We are truly grateful to each person who touched our lives these past two years.
