HONG KONG (SE): The Canossian Sisters celebrated the 70th anniversary of entrance into religious life of Sister Cecilia Chang, at a Mass celebrated by Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung and Dominican Father Francisco de las Heras, at the Canossian Missions Chapel, Caine Road, on September 10. More than hundred participants, including sisters from the congregation, Lay Canossians, relatives, friends and lay collaborators attended the celebration.
In his homily, Father Yim remarked, “It’s not the years of religious life that counts, it’s life in your years.” He posed a question to Sister Chang to which she replied that she wished nothing more than to thank God for the rest of her life. She asked for prayers for her final perseverance in serving God.
Father Yim also challenged the faithful to continue the mission that Sister Chang undertook to spread the Good News and to respond wholeheartedly to God’s call to religious life.
After the creed, Sister Chang renewed her “forever yes” to the Lord, vowing chastity, poverty and obedience. She then delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for God’s faithful love and for the many blessings bestowed through the loving care of their family, relatives and friends, and the fraternity of the Canossian Family.
The Canossian Sisters wish to thank those who joined in the celebration and ask for continued prayer for the grace of fidelity to their Canossian life: living in humility and charity like Mary, Mother of Love at the foot of the Cross.
In related news, on September 16, Sister Betty Wah Shan, Raphael, made her first religious profession in the Canossian Chapel at Caine Road. Her vows were received by mother provincial, Sister Virginia Wong at a Mass celebrated by Father Pierre Lam Minh.
Father Lam encouraged Sister Wah to live the consecrated life joyfully for it is God who loved her first and his love is without end. In response, she vowed chastity, poverty and obedience in offering herself totally to God.
At the end of the Mass, Sister Wah thanked her parents, the Canossian family and all the people who helped her in her vocation journey. She will be sent to St. Francis’ Canossian College as a pastoral sister. Her training in social work will equip her to accompany the young people and guide them to find the true meaning of life.
The Canossian Sisters thank all the relatives and friends for participating in the ceremony. Let us continue to support Sister Wah with our prayers that she may be a joyful witness of God’s love.
