By Vietnam (Province of East Asia)
In a celebration of faith and commitment, our sisters and partners-in-mission in Vietnam recently rejoiced in the perpetual profession of Sr. Mary Rita Nguyen, Sr. Mary Patricia Bui, and Sr. Mary Augustina Phan.
After years of discernment, formation, and service, the ceremony – held on April 8, 2025, at Binh Thuan Church in Saigon City – signified the life commitment of these three women to God and the Good Shepherd mission.
In the presence of other religious, family members, friends, and the extended Good Shepherd family, the sisters publicly made their vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and zèle for the salvation of souls, as they embrace a lifelong journey of love, service, and witness within the charism of Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier and Saint John Eudes.
A rite of profession
The sisters, holding lit candles as a sign of their burning desire to commit to a life of service, knelt before the altar to profess their vows. Following this, each sister received the symbols of their life commitment, including the ring, a sign of their deep relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd and their belonging to the Good Shepherd family.
During the homily, Bishop of Sai Gon Diocese, His Excellency Most Reverend Joseph Nguyen, emphasized the radical love and unwavering fidelity that this commitment entails. He encouraged the newly professed sisters to be beacons of hope and living witnesses to God’s mercy and compassion, particularly in their service to girls, women, and children.
The courageous “yes” of these three women strengthens the Good Shepherd mission of compassion and justice, bringing hope and transforming lives in Vietnam and around the world.
A tapestry of faith
The presence of sisters from Thailand, Myanmar, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and the United States not only highlighted the global reach and interconnectedness of the Good Shepherd family but also served as a powerful testament to the universal call to serve and our shared Good Shepherd purpose and mission of reaching out to the vulnerable and marginalized in society.
Their presence served as a powerful reminder of the universal love that transcends borders and unites all who are called to be the heart and hands of the Good Shepherd mission in the world.
