Answering the call with her whole heart.
Sister Theresa Lan Nguyen’s journey to religious life is one of unwavering faith, deep longing, and quiet perseverance. Her’s is a story that spans decades, continents, and cultures. Born in South Vietnam, she was raised in a strong Catholic community surrounded by convents.
Encouraged by her devout mother, who often expressed her wish that her daughter would become a Sister, Theresa Lan grew up with the image of religious life close to her heart. “My mom always said, ‘I really want you to be a Sister,’” she said.
That desire deepened when Sr. Theresa Lan turned 17. But by then, tragedy and political change had altered her world. Her mother had died unexpectedly when Theresa Lan was just 15, leaving her with family responsibilities that delayed her dreams. Soon after, the Communist government came into power, closing the doors of convents and forbidding new vocations. Sr. Theresa Lan continued to study and teach catechism in her parish, keeping close to the life she hoped to one day live more fully.
It would be another 15 years before the next chapter of her story could begin. In 1990, Sr. Theresa Lan and her family immigrated to the United States, sponsored by her brother. She spoke no English and found herself disoriented, not only in a new country but in her sense of purpose. “I was very fearful, and my vocation seemed hopeless,” she recalled. “Every day, I went to school and to work. On weekends, I would visit relatives, go shopping, or go on other excursions, but that was not enough to fill up my empty soul.”
Sr. Theresa Lan traveled, even returning to Vietnam twice, but the spiritual longing never left her. “Sometimes I felt a hand inviting me to step forward,” she said. “I truly felt that my soul was dispirited. However, I did not forget to beseech God: ‘O Lord, You know what I need.’” Though she had let go of the dream for a time, a moment of providence reignited it. Around the year 2000, ten years after arriving in the U.S., Sr. Theresa Lan attended a discernment retreat hosted by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. It felt like a spontaneous decision, but in hindsight, it became clear that this retreat was divinely timed. She entered the community that February, beginning the long-awaited journey she had dreamed of as a teenager.
Still, the transition was not easy. The cultural differences, unfamiliar customs, and her limited English made her question whether she would have the patience and courage to persist. “Everything was different,” she said. “But God helped me. God is always with me to help me overcome the challenges.”
Living in the discernment house, she spent her weekdays working and her weekends with the Sisters, learning their way of life. Sister Catherine Hertel, then the Vocation Director, taught her English. Slowly, with the warmth and encouragement of the community, Sr. Theresa Lan found her footing. “The Sisters encouraged me, saying, ‘It’s okay, you will be alright. We are praying for you.’ Their warmth, love, and joy really helped me.”
Sr. Theresa Lan professed her perpetual vows seven years later. Though she now feels at home in her Community, those early years of adjustment were challenging. When she first arrived, she and Sister Julie Doan were the only Vietnamese Sisters. They made a point not to speak Vietnamese too often, wanting to fully integrate and respect the culture and language of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. Over time, more Vietnamese Sisters joined, bringing comfort and shared heritage. “Still,” she said, “we should follow our Sisters’ culture, their language, and grow with our Community.”
Through the past 25 years, Sister Theresa Lan has poured herself into service, both within the community and beyond. She worked for more than a decade with babies at Valley Catholic Early Learning School. “Working with the babies gave me so much energy and joy,” she said. She also taught catechism at St. Anthony’s Parish in Tigard for 15 years. At the Motherhouse, she contributes in simple but meaningful ways like sewing, baking, gardening, and driving.
She lives now by the words of her patroness, St. Thérèse of Lisieux: “Love God and help everyone else to love God, too. That is my only aspiration.” In the simplicity of her daily life, she embodies the charism of her Community:
We, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon,
living as women of prayer
in simplicity and sisterly love,
are called to be compassionate,
joyful servants of the Lord.
Sr. Theresa Lan’s advice to women discerning religious life is simple but urgent: “If you feel that God is calling, you need to answer right away, with your whole heart. If you wait too long, you might lose the chance.”
Sr. Theresa Lan added, “As for what God and Mary mean to me — well, I would like to share that in Vietnamese: Chúa luôn yêu bạn, chết vì bạn. Khi bạn vui, buồn, lo lắng hay cần giúp đỡ, hãy gọi Ngài. Ngài sẽ ở bên bạn, an ủi bạn và cùng bạn đi tiếp con đường.”
(Translation: God always loves you and died for you. Whether you are happy, sad, worried, or in need, call Him — He will be with you, comfort you, and journey with you.)
Now celebrating her 25th Jubilee, Sister Theresa Lan Nguyen stands as a quiet testament to faith, persistence, and the enduring power of God’s call. Her journey took longer than she ever expected, but every step, through sorrow, uncertainty, and hope, led her home.
