On Sunday, May 30, 2021, Feast of the Holy Trinity, the highest feast of our Congregation, two Junior Sisters from Nusa Tenggara Timur - Sr. Theresiani Theresia Manu and Sr. Luisa Maria Emerensiani Anin - made their perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. This event took place during the Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of St. Theresia, in Bongsari, Semarang, Indonesia, and had as its theme: “Being a sign of God's love and bearing fruit”.
The situation of the coronavirus pandemic is a challenge. In the midst of this reality, God called these two Sisters to perpetual vows, who thus manifested their faith in God who is always faithful to guide the path and history of their vocation. Thanks to God, this time Sisters and guests, in a limited number and observing the health protocols, were able to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration. This Eucharistic Celebration was broadcast online through the youtube channel youtu.be/lA8cPlOEgxw, so that families and others who were unable to attend in person could participate virtually. The families of the two Sisters attended a party with the Sisters of the Footsteps Community in Maubesi, NTT. Mr. KH was also invited. Taslim Syahlan, M.SI - President of the Central Java Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) and Mr. Setyawan Budi - Interfaith Fellowship Coordinator (PELITA) Semarang, as Sr. Theresiani and Sr. Luisa participate in interfaith dialogue activities with these groups.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by two Priests from the Parish of Bongsari: Fr. Agustinus Sarwanto, SJ and Fr. Agustinus Mintara Sufiyanta, SJ, plus Fr. Yohanes Rusae (Secretary of the Liturgical Commission of KWI). In his homily, Fr. Sarwanto motivated the two Sisters to be faithful in finding in God the strength for every day of their lives. The key to the joy of vocation comes primarily from oneself, personal relationship with God and joy can be shared with others.
Sr. Theresiani and Sr. Luisa sang the song “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” as an expression of gratitude for the love of God that directs her vocation as a Religious Sister of Divine Providence.
At the end of the celebration, a surprise for the two Sisters: a video with messages from parents and family. The team organized this recording as a gift due to the absence of parents and family.
Then Sr. Klarista, Provincial of Maria Star of Sea Province, Indonesia, sent the two Sisters who have just taken their perpetual vows to be witnesses and bear fruit in their mission: Sr. Theresiani will work at the Soegijopranoto Clinic in Semarang and Sr. Luisa at St. Joseph College in Jakarta.
Gratitude to the Triune God who accompanies us in our vocation! May we become more and more signs of Providence in our mission! Your Providentia Pater Gubernat.
Sr. Maria Rosa, SDP