‘I discovered that I am loved from all eternity.’

Dec. 1, 2020

By Sister Viet Oanh Nguyen, Lovers of the Holy Cross of Los Angeles

Dec. 1, 2020

Sister Viet Oanh Nguyen (Photo by Luis Garcia)

As a teenager, I struggled to find my identity and purpose. I had a loving family and great friends, and I was a motivated student, yet I felt lost and empty. I had this gnawing desire to be whole.

Everything changed when I encountered the Lord at a confirmation retreat. In the silence, I heard his voice, gentle yet compelling, and it filled me with purpose. He spoke to my deepest desires, and for the first time I felt at home with myself and the world.

Guided through prayer by the religious sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, I realized that hidden beneath my desire to know was the deeper longing to be known. At the foot of the cross, I discovered that I am loved and known from all eternity. That same gaze of Christ crucified now calls me to respond to his love with love through the path of the holy cross.

Sister Viet Oanh Nguyen
Lovers of the Holy Cross of Los Angeles
Santa Ana, California

Father Christopher Murphy, Diocese of Providence.

‘I discovered that I am loved from all eternity.’

Related Articles

Vocations

‘A vocation is discovered within community.’

‘A vocation is discovered within community.’

Vocations

‘I invited him into every aspect of my life.’

‘I invited him into every aspect of my life.’

Vocations

‘I marvel at the work of God’s grace.’

‘I marvel at the work of God’s grace.’

Vocations

‘Jesus crucified does not disappoint.’

‘Jesus crucified does not disappoint.’

Vocations

‘I am building God’s kingdom.’

‘I am building God’s kingdom.’

Vocations

‘God spoke to my deepest desires.’

‘God spoke to my deepest desires.’

Vocations

‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

Vocations

‘They showed me the face of Christ.’

‘They showed me the face of Christ.’