Good Shepherd sister makes final vows

By Victoria Lim of Catholic News, A publication of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. Sunday December 24, 2023 vol. 73 No. 26

Sr Fiona Yeo (2^nd row, 3^rd from right) with her community of Good Shepherd Sister Photos: Picspirations Photography.

An hour before making her perpetual vows, Good Shepherd Sister Fiona Mary Yeo was in the church foyer to greet those who had come to celebrate the occasion with her at the parish of the Risen Christ in Toa Payoh.

Despite the looming grey clouds and the humid weather, a crowd of 500 turned up for the Mass on Dec 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

Surrendering to God’s grace

Fr Samuel Lim, vice rector of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, who gave the homily, explained that the Immaculate Conception is proof of the greatness of God.

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception states that Mary was free of original sin from the moment she was conceived, and is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Church.

“Mary is made pure by the merit of Jesus, and they are in heaven because of God’s greatness,” said Fr Lim.

“Likewise, Sr Fiona stands before us because of God’s grace, and not by her own strength,” he added, describing Sr Fiona as “kind, good-hearted, responsible, and diligent”.

Speaking to those who are still discerning their call to vocation, Fr Lim said, “If God calls us, then it is only to show His goodness; we are merely His servants.”

“Instead of asking, ‘What can I offer to God?’, the questions one should ask when discerning are ‘How can I offer my life such that God will be glorified?’ and ‘What has God done in my life and what else can He do for me for the sake of others?” he added.

Fr Lim went on to explain that asking the latter questions is difficult because most people want to be in control of their lives, “Yet, Mary gives us the best example when she told the Angel of the Lord, ‘Let what you have said be done unto me.’”

“That takes humility, surrender, trust, and faith,” he said.

The great adventure

For several years, Sr Fiona was a social worker.

Additionally, she was searching for meaning and purpose in life, and wanted to pursue a master’s degree abroad, “away from family, friends, and church,” she said. “I wanted to know who I was, and what values I stood for.”

“Then, God called me personally, and promised fulfilment in the convent,” she said. “He did not promise an easy journey, but a deeply meaningful one, and I can safely say God was right!” added the 38-year-old.

After about one-and-a-half years of discernment, she moved in to live with the Good Shepherd Sisters in Singapore in 2014.

Encouragement

Sr Fiona after receiving the ring signifying religious profession

She chose a Marian feast for the occasion as she felt Mother Mary had been instrumental in her journey, especially in her parents’ acceptance of her vocation, and also because her congregation has a special devotion to the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

“I feel so overwhelmed with love, awe, and gratitude,” she said, after the Mass.

To those considering the religious life, she had this to say, “If you feel a stirring, start the journey, instead of wondering whether you would end up a religious or not.”

“The journey is a paradox – as mind-blowing and life-changing as it is gradual and subtle,” she added.