June 14, 2025
Renewal of Vows of Sr. Mary Teresa, Sr. Therese Faustina, Sr. Pauline Rosa, Sr. Teresa Hanh and Sr. Christine Emmanuel
This Renewal of Vows is a powerful reminder that the call to follow Christ never grows
old — it only deepens. It is a moment of grateful remembrance as you recall your first
“yes”—and how He has carried you since then. You remember your joys, your struggles,
and the silent“yeses” of every ordinary day — and still, with all of that, you say once again:
“I desire to consecrate myself to Him and to devote my whole life to the extension of His
Kingdom.”
A vocation is never earned; it is a gift. It is mercy.
And so, every renewal is also an act of thanksgiving — for the God who has forgiven,
sustained, inspired, and strengthened.
As Christians and as religious, it is good to remember that all we experience is greater
than ourselves — much greater — and we cannot contain God’s generosity and
faithfulness on our own. This is especially true in our struggles and suffering. Our very
vows can’t be kept by our own ability; someone greater — the Lord Himself — sustains
us and guides us to be faithful, to live out our vows every day. Your renewal of vows does
not depend on your capacities; it is made possible by God’s grace and generosity. Your
vows are, in reality, your simple fiat: your “yes” in response to this generous and merciful
God. You pronounce your vows because of God’s ever-renewing love — for you, for us and
for His Church.
So we can be assured that if we fully surrender ourselves to this Love, His Love, if we let
this Love be our guide and foundation, our religious promises will never be broken —
even when it’s difficult, even when we feel discouraged. Remember: God will never fail us,
and God will never fail His Church. God is more than able to work miracles through us; He
can use us as channels of His love for His beloved Church.
In a world of half-hearted commitments, to say “yes” and truly mean it is a powerful
witness. Religious life is a “yes” that resonates through the years — not static, not easy,
but deep and sincere.
Today’s “yes” from you is a continuation of that first “yes” and a preparation for all the
“yeses” that will follow. You say “yes” in a world that prefers “maybe” and values options
more than commitments. But here you are, standing before God, the Church, your Sisters,
and your community to say: “In your hands, Lord, I renew my vows of chastity, poverty, and
obedience… in the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption.”
This “yes” is not just about staying — it is about belonging, about making room for Christ’s
Kingdom in your life and in the world, through the charism of St. Marie Eugenie and the
Rule of Life you have embraced.
As you renew your vows today, remember the example of the Blessed Mother, our Mother
Mary: when she said “yes” to the Angel Gabriel to be the Mother of Jesus, it was not a “yes”
stemming from confidence in her own ability, but from a total surrender and a prayerful
entrusting to a Love that is always greater, wider, and more important than our own. “We
are the Lord’s servants; let it be done to us according to His loving will.”
