Holy Cross Sisters Lina Mrong, left, and Nilu Suting professed their perpetual vows on October 20, 2023.
We rejoice in and with Sisters Nilu Suting and Lina Mrong, who made their perpetual profession of vows on October 20, 2023, at Holy Rosary Church, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka, presided over the sacred liturgy. Sister Mary Tiernan, general councilor, received their vows.
Present were priests, brothers, sisters and family members of Sisters Nilu and Lina to make the day blissful. Father Subroto B. Gomes, parish priest in Tejgaon, and Sister Mary Tiernan expressed their feelings at the end of the eucharistic liturgy. Sister Violet Rodrigues, Area of Asia coordinator, gave a thanksgiving speech to each person for being present and for various contributions to the celebration.
Sisters Nilu and Lina were received at Holy Cross Convent with song and dance. The guests and family members joined in a festive meal on the premises. An evening cultural program was organized in thanksgiving for the life of Sisters Nilu and Lina. Also, the day before the perpetual profession, Sisters Nilu and Lina arranged a meaningful Holy Hour.
Here, they reflect on the momentous occasion.
Sisters Gidding Marceline Simsang and Jui Clara Corraya
From left, Holy Cross Sisters Violet Rodrigues, Area of Asia coordinator, Nilu, Lina and Runu Mrong.
Sister Nilu Suting’s Reflection
Sister Nilu Suting, CSC
In this moment, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. I cannot measure the abundant blessings and the love of God upon me. This is the day that I have been waiting for. Life is a journey. And in this life journey God was with me, is with me, and will be with me.
I chose the theme “Abide in my love” (John 15:9) for my perpetual commitment, and it will be my lifelong message. Abide in my love means to submit fully to his will. Our abode, the home of our soul, is to be the love of Christ. My prayer is that wherever I go, I may carry Jesus and spread his love to everyone.
A graced journey
I encountered God among many beautiful people in my life. In this auspicious time, I express my sincere gratitude to all the people that I have encountered. I am grateful to God for my parents, siblings, relatives, friends, near and dear ones. Their presence brought extra joy, and my final profession day will be a special day in my life forever. It was a joyful, touching moment when I said “yes” and surrendered myself in front of the altar. I received many blessings and love from everyone.
I cannot measure the abundant blessings and the love of God upon me. This is the day that I have been waiting for. Life is a journey. And in this life journey God was with me, is with me, and will be with me.
Sister Violet Rodrigues, CSC, Area of Asia coordinator, blesses Sister Nilu Suting, CSC, during the ceremony of her perpetual profession.
Appreciation for leadership and friendship
I am grateful to the Congregation for providing many opportunities from the beginning until now. I am grateful to Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower), president, and the leadership team members for their constant support during my journey these past years. I am sure you will continue to journey with me until the end.
Thank you for listening and allowing me to extend my vows for a few months. And I am grateful for the opportunities to attend various courses for my final profession preparation. I was in Bangalore and Pune for the final preparation. The different courses and retreat inspired me to reflect about my call and fully surrender myself to the Lord.
I am grateful to the Area of Asia, especially to Sister Violet and the council members. Their hard work makes our mission a fruitful one. Thank you for trusting and encouraging me to move forward and to continue doing God’s work in Holy Cross.
My gratitude extends to all the sisters who made this day very special through their work and presence on my final commitment. I also thank those who could not join but sent all the beautiful messages and wishes through mail and cards. I am grateful to everyone.
Sister Nilu Suting
Sisters Nilu Suting, CSC, left, and Lina Mrong, CSC, profess their perpetual vows with the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Sister Lina Mrong’s Reflection
The Mystery of My Life Journey is Intimacy With God
Sister Lina Mrong, CSC
I thank God for the precious gift of my life. The life he has given me, breathing in me to keep me alive every single moment to live it fully and profoundly. My intimate connection with God abides me in his love forever. Before the foundation of the world was laid, before my first breath on this earth, God knew me intimately. Therefore, he crafted me with a purpose, a purpose so extraordinary that he consecrated me to be his messenger through the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
My life is a sacred mission
My life journey is a sacred mission. As I walked this path and reached this graceful and joyous event, my heart is filled with immense joy and gratitude. Words hardly express my feelings on the day of my perpetual commitment. I believe the hand of my almighty Father guides me throughout my life journey.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to my parents, siblings, teachers, relatives, formatters, sisters, spiritual directors. I also express thanks for my friends, well-wishers and all the people who have been a part of my life journey and were present on my special day. This act of gratitude strengthens my life but also reminds me of the importance of acknowledging the people who have shaped my life. As I sat down to write my reflection, I realized the power of expressing my emotions through words. It allowed me to convey my appreciation and love in a meaningful way, capturing the depth of my gratitude.
Connecting powerfully with Jesus
Reflecting on my life and vocation, it is God who decided this for me. My life journey started from inside out, not outside in; from my mother’s womb to the solid ground, from heaven to the Earth. Before I was formed in the womb of my mother, I was in a process of God’s master plan. Therefore, I began in God, and my root is connected to the core of heart with God and his love. My intimate connection with God strengthens my root with the divine. I am truly overwhelmed with a profound sense of joy, tranquility and gratitude. This auspicious day is a culmination of years of my discernment, sacrifices and dedication. It is not just a milestone, it is a sacred promise to the path I have chosen.
As I took my perpetual vows, I felt a powerful connection with Jesus, graced and crowned with the divine love as I was pronouncing the vows with my full conscience in the church. I felt peace deep within my heart and a profound sense of belongingness within my religious community and to the Congregation. The weight of vows I made is a reminder that I am now bound by divine love, faith and service to a cause greater than myself.
A journey of gratitude
I am eternally grateful to the Congregation for providing me everything according to my needs. Thank you to the sisters of our Congregation around the world for your prayerful support and good wishes throughout my journey in Holy Cross. I express my heartfelt thanks to all the General Leadership and Area Leadership teams, past and present. Especially, I thank Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower), president, and her council and Sister Violet Rodrigues, Area of Asia coordinator, and her council for supporting my journey in Holy Cross.
As I move forward, I carry with me the responsibility of living out my vows with authenticity, humility, and love. This day will remain in my heart as a day of joy, profound reflection and immense gratitude. It is not an end but a beginning, a lifelong journey of service, faith and love that I am privileged to embark upon.
Sister Lina Mrong
