Sister Robina Ei Phoung, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier (SFX), in Myanmar, made her perpetual profession in Italy on August 15.

 Myanmar Catholic priest Father Stefano Tang Gun who is working in Italy along with two clergies Italiano Father Adrea and French Father Michael, MEP, presided over Mass for Sister Ei Phoung at St. Martha’s church of the parish of St. Nicolas in Lecco in Milan.

In his homily Father Tang Gun emphasized belongingness and joyfulness and said, “The religious life that belongs to God must be joyful.”

“I thank God for His graces and my Superiors who accepted my application letter and allowed me to vow for life,” said the nun.

Sister Ei Phoung is currently taking an Italian Language class to study canon law at the Pontificial Universita Urbaniana in Rome.

She told Ayayar Alinn that she felt sorry because her parents, relatives, and friends could not physically attend the celebration of her perpetual profession, exempt from live streaming mass on social media, particularly on Facebook.

The 34 years old Sister was first sent to the Philippines for study, but later the recently retired Mother Superior phoned her to transfer to Italy with the same intention.

The young nun Ei Phoung told the reason why she made her final vow in Italy.

“According to the Constitution of the Congregation, any member who completed six years in service given to the Church and the Community must write a letter of request to Mother Superior for the perpetual profession.”

She continues by saying, “For this reason, I decided to serve the Church and the Congregation for life and make a final vow while I am studying in Italy.”

The Xaverian Sister made her perpetual vow in front of her Mother Superior Ann Teresa, SFX, who visited the Community, along with priests, nuns, and some Italiano Catholics in the parish church in Lecco.

Out of 16, 14 members of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier from different parts of Italy joined the celebration of the final profession of Sister Robina Ei Phoung.

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier is located in the diocsese of Pathein in the Ayeyarwaddy Region of Myanmar. News- Raymond Mahn Kyaw