by Sr. Regina Ho, fmm.
+Peace, Good
Morning, good people, Shalom!
When I was
asked to share my vocation story, I wondered where and how to begin.
What is a VOCATION?
It is a sacred calling from God to each of us
to a particular WAY OF LIFE: to stay
single, to get married or to become a
priest or a religious brother/sister.
For me
vocation is both a mystery and a
precious gift from God. I will start
with my family story: I come from a Buddhist family. My mum went to the temple
for feast days and on the first and the fifteenth day of each lunar month, she
would observed a vegetarian diet, while my dad did not have much devotion. I have one older and four younger brothers,
hence I am the only girl in the
family. Both my parents put much emphasis on our education. Remember, in those
days, girls of my generation was generally discouraged from going to school.
But my parents were just the opposite!
Somehow, God inspired my dad to
send me to a Catholic school. Why a Catholic school? My parents felt that
Catholic schools offered a good standard of education and good discipline.
In the good
old days, we had catechism classes daily in school. I loved to study and so I
joined the catechism classes faithfully – not because I wanted to know more
about Jesus or the Church. I just simple loved to study. So our Great God
attracts us to Himself through various means.
In the final
year of my schooling, one of my classmates persuaded me to join a special
catechism class on Saturday mornings in preparation for baptism. She needed a
cycling companion and I got permission from my mum for this. So there I was, happily
cycling from my home in Green Lane Penang to Light Street Convent every
Saturday morning. For those who know Penang, it took us 20 – 30 minutes of
cycling to reach our destination. The
issue of Baptism never entered my mind. My sole interest was to be a cycling
companion! But at the end of that year,
on the Feast of Christ the King, I
was baptised instead of my good
classmate who is not baptised even until today! Baptism indeed, is a mystery
and a treasure from God!
The seed of
my vocation can be traced back to the time when I was in Standard 5. In the
middle of that year, our class teacher announced that she would be leaving us
the next month to join the Sisters. There and then, a flash of lightning went
through my mind: “When I grow up, I want
to be a Sister like her”. I was a non-Catholic then. After that I
completely forgot about it, being busy with my studies and growing up. However,
God did not forget.
After my Baptism, my good Godma asked me: “Now
you have finished your schooling, what are you going to do next year?”
“No idea”, I
answered.
She replied:
“ There is a brand new Catholic School of Nursing starting next year in
Petaling Jaya – Assunta Hospital. If you are interested, I can help you to
apply.”
So, a few
months later, I found myself in Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya. The very first
moment I was introduced to the Sisters, another lightning message went through
my mind: “If I ever want to be a religious,
I’ll join these Sisters”. I did not know who the FMM Sisters were, then.
Again I conveniently forget about it for another 5 years, busy studying and
working.
For Baptism, I had no problems with
my parents. They were impressed by how the Catholics worldwide were ever ready
to help the poor, to provide good education and medical services. In fact, they
were happy and proud that their daughter were joining these good people.
However, to the question of becoming a religious Sister, their answer was ‘No’.
My mum tried her level best to
dissuade me, using the ‘soft approach’ at first: Example, “You are a pretty
girl, you should have no problem finding a partner.”
“Yes mum, God makes beautiful
people.”....
She tried again, “Do you have
boyfriends? I can introduce you to a few good ones!”
“Mum,
I have a dozen of them! Some are running after me. I say ‘No’
Mum decided to change her method:
“Girl, if you go, don’t ever come home.” She threatened to disown me!
Somehow, our all powerful God sorted
things out for me gradually.
After 7 years training, I made my
final vows in January 1974. My superior invited my family to attend my
ceremony. My mum came one week earlier. My Superior put an extra bed in my room
for her. My mum was very curious. She watched everything that was going on. The
Sisters got up at 5.30 am, she was up too. She followed them to the Chapel (she
was a non-Catholic) to the dining room and to work, etc. At the end of the
week, she came whispering into my ear: “Girl, if I know life is like this, I
would also want to join the Sisters!” I opened my big eyes and gave her the
broadest smile. So mum fully accepted my vocation then.
I am most grateful to God for this
precious gift of vocation, the FMM way
of life. There are 2 aspects of FMM living I treasure most.
Firstly, the
universal mission: We have over 6,000 members worldwide, of 80 nationalities,
working in 6 continents and 75 countries. Besides Malaysia and Singapore, I
have been sent to 7 other countries for mission, meetings or studies. I thought
I went to mission to give, but I soon realized I received much more than I
could ever give. I have been greatly enriched in many ways by the mission
experiences. How very true, when St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is in giving that we receive.” God has
magnificently deepen and widen the world horizon for me about people, cultures,
events, etc.
The second aspect, which is even more
important, is my spiritual growth. The in-built balance of prayer, reflection,
study, community living and work in our FMM way of life, has certainly enhanced
my spiritual growth to be in constant communion with God.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and
also Vocation Sunday. Therefore, I invite all the young people present to
reflect on your life journey. Open your ears and your hearts to the voice of
the Good Shepherd. He has a special message for each of you. He says: “Do not
be afraid. I am with you always”
May your prayer be: “Speak, Lord,
your servant is listening.”
Thank you for listening. God Bless
and pray for me.
(This sharing was given by Sr. Regina Ho, fmm on Good Shepherd Sunday 2013
at the
Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary, Kota Bharu)
