Within the framework of her Perpetual Profession, Sr. Teresa Nguyễn Thị Hương, originally from Vietnam and a member of the Vice province of Vietnam, shares with us her experience during her time of formation in the international juniorate, in Ciempozuelos, the birthplace of our Congregation.
In her own words, she opens her heart to tell us how this time has allowed her to mature in her vocation, discover the joy of serving, and lovingly embrace the sacred mission of caring for the sick.
My name is Teresa Nguyễn Thị Hương, I am from Vietnam.
During my time of formation in the international juniorate, precisely in the birthplace of the Congregation in Ciempozuelos, I experienced profound joy and happiness, and I learned many valuable things. The experiences of intercultural and intergenerational community life, together with the service to the sick, have become a precious treasure for my vocational and missionary journey ahead.
I have deeply experienced how the Lord continues to shape and transform me through the very simple and ordinary realities of daily life. I have felt Him in the lessons carefully imparted by the sisters and some collaborators, in the compassionate looks of the sisters, in shared outings, in teamwork, in moments of sharing, in house cleaning, in community and personal prayer, and in the moments of deep silence before the Blessed Sacrament.
I have also lived many meaningful moments in my relationship with the residents. Every day, upon entering the unit, I not only offered my hands to serve but also a heart willing to listen, learning to welcome each person with compassion and respect, recognizing in them the suffering face of Christ. A smile in response, a look of gratitude, or a handshake filled my heart with joy. I have come to understand that caring for the sick is not just a task, but a vocation and a sacred mission.
All of this has helped me to mature and to experience happiness in my vocation, while at the same time inviting me to live with greater sincerity, humility, and openness, so that I may be an instrument of the Lord’s love and mercy in today’s world, collaborating in His work of salvation.
I give thanks to God and to the Congregation for allowing me to live this experience, through which I have been transformed: to love more, to serve better, and to belong to Jesus Christ more fully each day and forever.