Two young women made their first religious profession as Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul of Suwon during a Eucharistic celebration held on August 11, 2026, at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church in Nanthagone, Insein, in the Yangon Archdiocese.

The Eucharistic celebration began at 10:00 a.m., with Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun of Yangon Archdiocese serving as the main celebrant. Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye was a Co-celebrant. Priests, religious sisters, family members, relatives, and parishioners gathered to witness the significant moment in the lives of Sr. Maria Lydwine Hkawn Bu and Sr. Maria Ephrem Eugenie.

Before the celebration began, the biographies and vocation journeys of the two sisters were presented to the congregation.

The Two Sisters and Their Vocations

Sr. Maria Lydwine Hkawn Bu was born on September 14, 2001, and comes from Namti Parish in Myitkyina Diocese. She is the second of six children of U Lamai Naw Hkam and Daw Hkawn Din. She began her aspirancy on June 29, 2022, entered postulancy on September 8, 2023, and began her novitiate on August 24, 2024.

Sr. Maria Ephrem Eugenie was born on April 23, 1998, in Loikaw Diocese. She is the fourth of seven children of U Pan Karsho Kaw Kaw and Daw Jutita. She began her aspirancy on April 19, 2022, entered postulancy on September 8, 2023, and began her novitiate on August 24, 2024.

Message from the Bishop

In his homily, Bishop Raymond emphasized that every Christian is already consecrated to God through baptism. Religious profession, he explained, offers oneself to God in a particular and total way through the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience.

He explained that religious life gives a visible witness to the Kingdom of God. Through the vow of chastity, religious women offer their love without reserving it for one particular person or group. They seek to love all people. Through poverty, they learn contentment, share what they have with those in need, and live for others. Through obedience, they seek to follow God’s will by faithfully responding to their legitimate superiors.

Bishop Raymond also highlighted the importance of community life. He said that religious sisters are called to live together with love, forgiveness, and mutual sharing. This is especially important at a time when family and social relationships can be marked by divisions and difficulties.

Addressing the two newly professed sisters, the bishop encouraged them to offer their entire lives for God and His Kingdom. He urged them to faithfully observe the constitutions of their congregation and embrace the charitable spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.

He noted that the congregation, which began its mission in Germany and later spread to Korea and other parts of Asia, has a particular commitment to serving people in need, including through healthcare and care for the elderly. Such a mission, he said, is especially meaningful amid the political, economic, and social hardships faced by communities today.

Reflecting on the Gospel image of children, Bishop Raymond encouraged the sisters to remain simple, humble, and pure of heart. He urged them to rely completely on Divine Providence and to seek greatness not according to worldly standards, but through faithful living of their vows.

The Profession Ceremony

Following the homily, the novice mistress called the two sisters forward. They declared their readiness to live according to the congregation’s constitutions and community life. They requested permission from the Superior General to make their temporary profession for one year.

The two novices then professed their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience before God, their superiors, and the gathered community. They committed themselves to follow Christ in a special way and to become witnesses of God’s Kingdom.

Message from the Superior

In her greeting, Sr. Alfonsa, Superior of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul of Suwon, who came from South Korea, expressed her joy at witnessing the profession of Sr. Ephrem and Sr. Lydwine.

She said that their vows signify offering their entire selves to God. She encouraged them to serve people who are poor, sick, weak, and marginalized with the compassion of St. Vincent de Paul.

Referring to Matthew 25:40, she recalled Jesus’ teaching that service to the least of His brothers and sisters is service to Him. She expressed confidence that God would strengthen and guide the two sisters in their vocation and appealed for continued support for the congregation’s mission in Myanmar.

The first profession marks a significant new stage in the consecrated lives of Sr. Maria Lydwine Hkawn Bu and Sr. Maria Ephrem Eugenie as they begin their mission of serving God and His people through the spirituality and charism of St. Vincent de Paul.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service