IHM Sister Tuyên Makes Perpetual Vows

Sister Tuyên Thi Than Nguyên (Sister Anna Doan Tâm), IHM made profession of perpetual vows Aug. 27 in the Mary Frances Clarke Chapel at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa. Tuyên has stayed with the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mount Carmel during her studies in America at Divine Word College in Epworth. IHM Mother Superior Cecilia Xuân An  and Sister Maria Goretti Thanh An travelled from Vietnam to join in the celebrations.

BVM Vice President Kate Hendel and President LaDonna Manternach welcomed family and guests, taking turns speaking . . . Kate first in Vietnamese then LaDonna in English.

Rev. Ardel Barta shared Luke 1:39-56, which tells the story of when two very different women—Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, Mother of Jesus—greeted each other, the Spirit within their pregnant wombs leapt toward each other. In that moment both women acknowledged that though they were different . . . from different parts of the land, different social and economic standing, and of different ages . . . they were of one family, blessed, and in service to God.

In her gospel reflection, BVM Mary Ann Zollmann offered, “Tuyên, you journeyed across vast cultural landscapes to be here today. With a knock on the Mount Carmel door and a warm welcome in its opening, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary meet the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

A congregation inspired by the social, political, and religious reality of the Far West meets a congregation inspired by the social, political, and religious reality of the Far East. All of us are sisters of Mary, kin to one another, pregnant with God. Though related, we embody the Spirit of God differently. Eager to do its salvific work of whole making, the Spirit in each leaps expectantly toward the other.”

In her profession Tuyên vowed, “In the presence of Fr. Ardel Barta and the people of God, I make my promise to Almighty God, at the hands of Sister Cecilia Xuân An, our general superior. I vow to live forever the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience according to the Constitution of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Congregation.”

Tuyên dedicated her life to God and Congregation, professing service to her brothers and sisters until she is united with Christ. When her spoken vows were complete, she signed her Act of Profession and received a ring that marks her as a bride of Christ.

Sister Cecilia Xuân An, IHM professed “Community Acceptance” as the assembly joined in singing “I Am With You.” The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters and representative BVM Sisters offered Tuyên a greeting of affirmation. Sister Trâm prayed prayers of intercession while Tuyên’s aunt and uncle and the children of her summer host family from the Music Family Institute in Texas presented the gifts for communion.

The ceremony concluded with a final song, ending with the poignant verse, “So many tasks ahead; so many to be served; The Spirit inspires our labors as sisters in community.”

Tuyên reflects, “to have Sr. Cecilia come here to receive my vows, means that I became officially a member of the IHM Congregation. She blessed me saying that now ‘I belong to the IHM, so together we glorify God, carry out the mission and the charism, and serve the people of God.'”

She continues, “I want to express my gratitude to the BVM Sisters. Living with them is a big historical era that I will never forget in my life. I have been with the BVMs for six years and have received a lot of great things that I could not have imagine before. I have grown up in many aspects, such as physical, spiritual, educational, open-mindedness, and positive thoughts. I had a year to prepare for my ceremony and the theme I had chosen was community. I am grateful for the BVM community. For me, the BVMs are not only a religious community, but my family . . . where I have received love, care, support, encouragement, prayers, and advice . . . I want to say a big THANK YOU to the BVMs and wish them good health, happiness, and peace.”

To view the Perpetual Vow Ceremony, visit: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/bvmsisters/portal.htm?eventId=701026&streamType=video