Dear friends,
Today, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), I move to St. Louis, MO to begin postulancy with the Daughters of St. Paul (see here and here for more context). It’s with a heavy heart and even heavier suitcases that I share this, though at the same time with great joy and excitement as I look ahead to what’s next and where this step will lead.
No doubt, transitions are challenging. I’ve spent the last week and a bit saying more good-byes than hellos, trying to fit most of my life into one suitcase, and doing a lot of running around as I try to wrap things up as neatly as possible. It has been taxing, but again, it’s been a joy to connect with people from all parts of my life.
The phrase that has come to mind over the past week has been “endlessly faithful”. From the beginning of the world, God knew me and what He wanted me to do. Since the beginning of my life, He has guided, protected, and led. And especially in recent days, He has shown me that in God, His timing is perfect. He is endlessly faithful, because that is just who He is.
In advance of formally entering with the Daughters of St. Paul on October 9, I took the liberty of looking into the upcoming readings for the day, which happens to be a Sunday. Here again, St. Paul writes to his spiritual son St. Timothy and says this: “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
I have fallen off the path many times and chose to have more faith in myself rather than God. There have been so many time where I have actively pursued not God, and have chosen an orphan spirit rather than trusting in the God who is love itself. And yes, even in the lead up to this moment (and I’m sure in future moments to come), there have been moments where my faith seemed to be falling through the cracks.
But in His providence, God has spoken to me in the language that I understand; that is, He spoke to me through assurance and constant reassurance.
I shared previously that I had started a rosary novena on August 15 with the intention of a quick resolution to the visa process. I received word that my visa was approved on September 15.
On top of that, the rosary novena ends on October 7, which is the day that I fly out with my family to St. Louis. It also happens to be the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which the Archdiocese of Vancouver is consecrated to.
My last day of work with SFU was on September 9, and I will formally enter postulancy on October 9.
And one year ago, on October 6, 2021, I was leaving Toronto to come home after visiting the sisters there. It was my first visit since 2019 (about two years before) and it was the trip that really re-ignited this path for me. I would have never imagined that one year later I would be preparing to leave home to go and be with my co-postulants.
Call it coincidence or divine providence, but regardless of what you call it, there is no denying the precise nature of God’s timing. No earlier, no later: this is when He wants me to go, and this is when I will go.
I will certainly miss the familiarity of home, the ability to see ocean, mountains and trees in the same view, the people and the places I love. But I know that in His faithfulness, God will be with me and help me remain connected to the beautiful Body of Christ that I have come to be a part of here, in Vancouver.
I hope to continue to write and share more updates and reflections here, so please subscribe so that these will land in your inbox! You can also email me at rachelcwong1@gmail.com and follow along on Instagram/Twitter @rchlcwng.
We’re united in the Eucharist, and I look forward to seeing you again very soon ❤️
In Jesus, Divine Master,
Rachel