On 28 August 2021, the feast of St Augustine, I made my final vows as a Daughter of Divine Charity in England. I have been with the sisters for seven years. It is not something that I had ever imagined for myself, especially when I do not see myself as a devout person and even find prayers tiresome!
As a typical Chinese Malaysian, I grew up striving for the best results academically so that I could be successful and have a good paying job as well as marrying a nice guy and have a lovely small family. I managed to do that to some extent. I went to great schools, St Theresa primary, St Teresa and then St Joseph. I worked as an Environmental Consultant for six years and I loved it. I was content and comfortable with my life in Kuching. I had everything I needed and more.
Then I decided to pursue further studies in England. A one-year Masters degree to help me advance in my career in Environmental Science. I had ambitious plans. My application was accepted in all the universities that I applied to and in the end, I decided to go to University of East Anglia (although initially, that was not my first choice!). Little did I know, God had a reason for me to choose that particular university.
I absolutely loved my year in UEA. I went to the UEA Catholic Chaplaincy every day as I felt it was a safe and familiar space for me. I graduated with a distinction in my Masters of Science. I wanted to stay in England till the end of my student visa so that I could explore Europe. The only free option I had was to stay at a convent. The chaplain of the Catholic Chaplaincy suggested that and made the arrangements for me. It was not an easy decision to make as I was fearful and apprehensive.
So, I went to stay with the sisters and I helped them in their school. I also joined them in their prayers and was part of their life. At the end of my student visa, I did not want to go home. That was a huge surprise for me as I did get very homesick. I missed my family, my friends and of course, the food! That was when I started to question and discern. When the thought that perhaps I was called to be sister first entered my mind, it made me weak at the knees. All sorts of doubts and fears entered my mind.
When my visa expired, I flew home with that seed planted in my mind. I shared it with my family and some close friends. It was not an idea that was received well by them. It is not a typical path that someone would take. Some felt that I was giving up too much, some thought it was too extreme as I could serve God in other ways and some worry that I would be seen as a failure by the definition of Asian success. It was a difficult time.
I decided to fly back to England to clarify that it was not a passing phase. Within the month, I knew that this was what God is asking me to do. The sisters have never ever pushed or even suggested that I should be a sister. In all honesty, if they had, I would probably run away quicker than you can say ‘No thanks!’. I wrote to my mum and wrote to the Sister Superior telling them of my intention to join the sisters. That was seven years ago. It has been a rollercoaster journey. It has not been as easy as some may think (we do not just pray, eat and sleep!) but I have no regrets.
There is a misconception of religious consecrated life. People think that it is restrictive and lowly. I find it liberating and plentiful. I am glad that I accepted this calling. If anyone has even a tiny seed of thought for this vocation, my advice would be to give it a go! We are free to leave if we choose to, but you will only know for sure if you try living it even for a short while.
I am at peace, I am filled with a joy that nothing can extinguish, I am truly fulfilled and content. I had experienced and lived a life defined as successful and great by normal standards. It was good but I found something greater and better—a life, with vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, from God, with God and for God.
Sr Anna Yeo Chai Luan
Daughters of Divine Charity England
Editor's note: You can find more information on Daughters of Divine Charity on their website http://fdc-sisters.org.uk/
