ALiFe

The beautiful day began with morning showers that lasted through the whole day. The cool temperatures made it feel like being up in the highland area and made the celebrations more comfortable for the just under 1000 that were jammed packed in the chapel.



The Day of Dedication is an annual celebration by the Sisters that falls on Aug 5. This year, the feast is celebrated earlier as Aug 5 falls on a Sunday. 28 (novice) Sisters became junior Sisters, eight professed their perpetual vows and three sisters celebrated their anniversaries (two - 50 years/ one - 60 years). I did not know the scale and extent of the celebration until I saw the number of priests invited - 98 of them... yes, including the the archbishop and bishop of Hue.



Each of the Sisters professing their vows were allowed to invite 10 family members. So as you can imagine, the chapel was filled and overflowed to the outside. Of course, this was planned for months ahead.

A 'live' feed allowed guests who were seated outside to view on television monitors located at various sheltered areas what was going on inside.


( From left: Sr. Hau (60 years), and both Srs. Hiep (50 years) and Hong (50 years).

In the afternoon after the lunch, the sisters were all given their appointment letters. Some will be transferred to other communities in Vietnam, others will stay.

My appointment by the Spirit is to stay for another two weeks here in Hue. My visa extension and airline ticket have been arranged. Continue to keep me in your prayers!

Ave Maria!