Dominican Nun of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit

Dominican Nun of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit  –  Sister Agnes Marie Mai Trang, O.P.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   † The First and Only Cloistered Dominican Monastery in Vietnam                                                                      – the prayerful face of the Church  †                                                                       ♥ a life harmoniously ordered in silence, solitude, and prayer  –  free for God alone ♥                                                                                                                                                                                     Founder:  Bishop Dominic Nguyen Chu Trinh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Place:  Xuan Loc, Vietnam  (Ngu Phuc Parish)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Year:  January 9, 2014 A,D.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Her Charism:  With her Order’s spirit, she possesses that beautiful “flame of enthusiasm.” Awake and alive to a higher world, this little monastic “comes down the mountain of Transfiguration” and shares with the world the fruits of her contemplation, her study, her prayer, and her penance.  Deep within her heart is a thirst for happiness that invites her to look to Heaven and seek the Absolute in solitude. Hers is a life of prayer and union with God within the perimeter of the cloister. It is a “hidden” witness that cultivates great faith well outside the walls of enclosure. Like St. Therese of the Child Jesus, she unites with God whenever she works – no matter how small or humble it may seem. That task is always done with an extraordinary heart. Her day begins at 4:30 a.m. with prayers following and celebration of the Eucharist. Each day she spends 6 hours in communal prayer and 1 hour in private prayer. Her small tasks include sweeping floors, washing dishes, making vestments, embroidering baptismal gowns, planting trees and flowers, translating documents, and making Communion wafers – all things to glorify God, sanctify herself, and save souls. As she works, she prays (intercedes) for the entire world, for the poor and all those who suffer, as well as for the missionary work (preaching) of the Church and all her Dominican brothers and sisters. This nun’s radically quiet and obscure life is actually a reflection of the Trinity. She is a vital part of the success of preaching for the salvation of souls. *** And here is the great paradox: By living a cloistered life, this Dominican nun can reach more people. She is not limited to the people around her. She surrenders her own power to affect people’s lives and offers herself totally and completely to God. In so doing, HE affects the world through her hidden life of helping Christ carry His Cross. As the “heartbeat” of the Church, this is what brings her the greatest and purest joy. She doesn’t play to the audience of the world; she plays to the audience of God and cultivates her soul with virtue and grace.