HONG KONG (SE): Sister Theresa Zhang Wei-ying made her first religious profession on December 26, the feast of St. Stephen, at the Canossian chapel on Caine Road.
The vows were received by mother provincial, Sister Virginia Wong during a Mass celebrated by vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu.
In his homily, Father Chan recalled that each year on December 26, the diocese holds the Walk for Vocations activity to pray for priestly and religious vocations. Sister Zhang responded to this by answering to God’s call with her “Yes.”
He also compared the consecrated life to a running race, but that participants are not to compete with one another, instead, they support and encourage each other to reach the final goal which is to give glory to God.
Sister Zhang was born to a non-Catholic family in Wenzhou, China. Later, led by the Holy Spirit, she was baptised and came to know the Canossian sisters. She was deeply inspired by the Canossian charism as expressed in their selfless service for orphans and disabled children, and was led to contemplate a life of total offering to God.
In her remarks, Sister Zhang said that the religious life “was not in my life plan until I [came to know] Jesus Christ 10 years ago. I feel so much blessed to be the Spouse of Christ and I think it is necessary to introduce him, especially when many of my friends and family members [do] not known him yet.”
She remarked, “He invites me to learn and practise his love among people: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness. God’s love is interconnected: whether you know him now or not, He always loves you. Jesus says if we love one another, he abides in us and his love is complete in us.”
Sister Zhang also thanked her parents and all those who have journeyed with her in her faith journey. “You really helped me to grow a lot. Thank you very much and may God bless you always!” she said.
She will be assigned to the Canossian Convent and serve as health care assistant at Villa Bakhita.
The Canossian Sisters thank all the relatives and friends for participating in the ceremony, and ask for continued prayers and support for Sister Zhang that she may live her religious life joyfully.
