HONG KONG (SE): Sister Wilma Chan Wai-man made her solemn profession at the Monastery of Our Lady Star of Hope in Macau, on December 9, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,. The Mass celebration was presided over by Abbot Dom Paul Kau of Our Lady of Joy Abbey in Hong Kong, and concelebrated by over 20 priests from Macau and Hong Kong.
Sister Chan, who is originally from Hong Kong, entered the Star of Hope Monastery on 6 June 2016. Her solemn profession marks her lifelong commitment to Christ and the Cistercians of the Strict Observance—the Trappists—in Macau.
In his homily, Abbot Dom Kau reflected on the significance of Sister Chan’s profession, describing it as a confirmation of her vocation and a joyful offering of herself to Christ and the monastic community until death. He drew parallels between the calling of a nun and the vocation of the Virgin Mary. Referring to the Annunciation as recounted in the Gospel of St. Luke, he highlighted Mary’s unique role as the Immaculate Conception, chosen to welcome Jesus into her life with her fiat, or joyful “yes” to God.
“For us,” the abbot said, “our inclination to sin requires purification in monastic life. The vow of ‘Conversatio Morum,’ or fidelity to the monastic way of life, is a commitment to unlearn false notions and embrace authentic ones. Like Mary, who trusted God completely, nuns commit to shaping their lives around Christ and their community.”
Abbot Dom Kau emphasised the stability of monastic life, likening it to Mary’s vocation of creating a home for Jesus. He explained that the monastic calling is not about external tasks but about making space for Christ within one’s heart and community.
He added that the vow of obedience is exemplified by Mary’s fiat: “To consent without condition, to promise obedience, is to trust in God’s love and providence. Like Christ, who was obedient unto death, this vow calls for renouncing one’s will to follow God fully.”
The ceremony concluded with prayers for Sister Chan’s monastic journey. “May Our Lady Star of Hope protect you,” the abbot prayed, “and grant you the virtues of virginity and poverty as you follow Christ.”
The solemn profession of Sister Chan is a testament to the enduring vitality of the monastic tradition and a source of inspiration for the Catholic community in Hong Kong and Macau.
The Monastery of Our Lady Star of Hope was canonically founded on 15 April 2012 and dedicated to Mary, Star of Hope. It is a daughter-community of the Trappist Monastery of Gedono in Indonesia, which traces its roots to the Monastery of Vitorchiano, Italy, founded in 1987.
