Three young women prepared to make the most important commitment of their lives. At 6:00 a.m. on October 19, 2026, at the Sisters of Providence Convent in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral Parish, Sr. Martina Bu Mu, Sr. Maria Goretti, and Sr. Catherine San Dar Moe took their first temporary vows—a single “yes” that would shape the rest of their lives.

The Holy Mass was presided over by Msgr. Stephen Ah Chu, together with other priests, as parents, relatives, and faithful gathered to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of these three women.

Sr. Martina comes from Paliang (2) village, St. Jude’s Parish, Tachileik. Sr. Maria Goretti hails from Ah Kae village, Mong Lar Parish. Sr. Catherine San Dar Moe is from Lo Pu Daw See Ee Village in Pekhon Diocese. Different backgrounds, different hometowns—but one shared calling.

The Three Evangelical Counsels

During the Mass, Msgr. Stephen delivered a sermon on the three evangelical counsels that sisters must practice in their religious life—dedicating themselves to God and serving for the salvation of themselves and others. He explained that these three vows are practiced in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican Churches.

The Vow of Poverty: Through this vow, a sister retains no personal possessions, willingly forsaking worldly riches and yearning only for God’s grace and goodness to seek and store up spiritual treasures. Msgr. Stephen noted that those in authority must generously provide the basic necessities required for mission work, as failing to provide these essential needs constitutes a neglect of duty.

The Vow of Chastity: Making the initial commitment to practice chastity does not mean that all forthcoming challenges have already been conquered; rather, the true struggle begins now. As a human being fashioned in flesh and blood, a sister must always remain vigilant so that her vow is not compromised, overcoming temptations through earnest perseverance in prayer.

The Vow of Obedience: By making the vow to freely obey God, the Catholic Church, the leaders of the congregation, and the rules of the institute, a sister acknowledges that as her skills and knowledge grow, the temptation of pride—the ego of “I”—may creep in. Therefore, she must live watchfully by making the search for God’s will her highest priority.

‘One Can Keep the Precepts Only When the Belly Is Full’

Referring to the teachings of St. Cajetan and the convictions of St. Luigi Scrosoppi, Msgr. Stephen quoted the proverb that “one can keep the precepts only when the belly is full.”

He emphasized that just as those saints prioritized caring for physical well-being to save souls, assisted the sick, and aided those struggling with education, we too must emulate their good examples. In missionary work, we must manage material resources systematically with selfless love and free from greed, thereby expanding the reach and effectiveness of our mission.

He also referenced the Gospel of Luke, noting how a wealthy man who amassed great riches failed to see God as the giver of those blessings, living an egoistic and greedy life solely focused on his own survival without sharing his abundance with needy neighbors, ultimately falling short of God’s salvation.

“Therefore, we must remain watchful against selfish greed and live in accordance with our respective divine callings to fulfill our mission,” Msgr. Stephen said.

A Journey That Begins with ‘Yes’

Following the Holy Mass, Sr. Rita Baby, the Provincial Superior of the Providence Sisters of Myanmar, expressed gratitude to the priests who celebrated the Mass, as well as to the parents, relatives, and faithful who attended. She then hosted a breakfast reception for everyone, a simple meal shared in joy and thanksgiving.

For the three sisters, the day marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, service, and self-giving—a journey that begins with a single “yes” to God’s call and continues through daily faithfulness to the vows they have embraced.

The Sisters of Providence are serving in Asia: 83 sisters in 12 communities in Myanmar, one community in Thailand, and one community in the Philippines. Their ministries include nurturing the education of youth, especially underprivileged youth; caring for the sick and the elderly; and participating in the expansion of the mission through apostolic works and preaching the Gospel.

In fulfilling the vision of their founder, the sisters seek to emulate Jesus—born in poverty in Bethlehem, obedient and diligent in the home of Nazareth, suffering and giving Himself in humble service, and eternally present in the Holy Eucharist.

Three young women walked forward to embrace a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Their journey had just begun—but their “yes” echoed in the hearts of all who witnessed it, a reminder that even in a world filled with noise and distraction, there are still those who hear God’s call and answer with courage and love.

By RVA Akha Service