Reflections on the Transformation of Life at Leuven Chinese College

USCCA Digital Communications Coordinator
4 days ago
5 min read

by Sister Niu

Life is enriched by “movement”

"Life lies in movement". Life becomes a stagnant backwater without movement. For a time, I stepped out of my familiar routine, setting aside the busy demands of hospital work to participate in a month-long study exchange organized by Leuven Verbiest Foundation in Belgium. Although it was only a short-term program, it opened new perspectives in my life and brought about a profound inner transformation.

When I received the superior's notice assigning me to pursue studies, my first reaction was: With so many tasks at the hospital, how could I possibly leave? I immediately turned inward to examine the unease and anxiety within me. As I quieted my heart before the Lord and journeyed into my inner self, I realized my deep longing to study—because I need to recharge, unlock my potential, and enhance my professional competence. More importantly, I yearn to study because I need to challenge my own attachments, my inability to surrender completely, and my habitual tendency to keep everything under my own control. Thus, I readily accepted the superior's assignment and came to participate in the program.

Gratitude and Surprise: A Release from Within

First, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Superior for giving me this invaluable opportunity. It allowed me to go abroad, appreciate foreign landscapes, experience different cultures, and rediscover the wonders and beauty of nature. Through this, I gained a deeper appreciation of the infinite mercy and glory of God.

Secondly, I am also grateful that I dared to let go of being busy with tasks at the hospital: duties, meetings, patients, reports, and worldly wisdom, etc. When I truly stepped away, I realized that "leaving" did not mean loss. Instead, it allowed me to rediscover a different way of living: releasing pressure, relaxing my mind, and seizing the day. One month of study and experience in Leuven poured new colors into my life, making me find a long-lost vitality.

From Anxiety to Surrender: A Shift in Faith Perspective

As a nursing sister, daily life is often filled with high levels of tension. But in Leuven, I was reminded once again: we are only vessels cooperating in God's hands, and our work is part of His plan of salvation. We need only to strive diligently and surrender the results to God's will. This shift in perspective freed me from being trapped by "results" and allowed me to focus more on experiencing God's guidance in every "process," thereby attaining a greater freedom.

The Power of a Role Model: The Inspiration of Companions

In Leuven, I had the privilege of spending time with several vivacious fellow travelers:

Father Jeroom Heyndrickx: Though advanced in years, he remains passionate and energetic about serving the Kingdom of God in a foreign land. His steadfast dedication and fervor moved me deeply, rekindling the original passion for my own vocation.
Father Gong: With fatherly care and gentleness, he showed me the merciful face of God. His joyful and attentive way of caring for each of us sisters touched me profoundly. He truly lives up to his name!
Sister Yang: Loving, patient, genuine, and humble, she accompanied us each day like a joyful angel. Her teaching was not only down-to-earth, but she also embodied the joy of the Gospel through her daily life.

These three friends embody the unity, harmony, communion, and radiance that have touched everyone who encounters them. They make people feel that faith is not a theory, but a living hope, love, and joy.

The Impact and Personal Development from the Course

Sister Yang taught "Our Journey Together"; the classes were full of energy, dynamic and captivating. Moving words made everybody participate actively and interact. Well-chosen examples made it easy to understand and relate them to daily life. This course rekindled my passion for catechesis and inspired a strong desire to return to my parish and share the beauty of faith with the community.

Father Gong taught "Catholic Social Teaching of the Church." He transformed abstract and seemingly dry content into lively and understandable lessons through his humor and logical clarity. He helped clarify a previously vague point for me: Church and society, faith and life, are not separate but an interconnected whole. God is not only present in the Church but also reveals Himself in every corner of society and nature. These days, I have begun actively seeking out the encyclicals issued by Popes throughout history and engaging in deep study and reflection on them. I benefited greatly from his insights.

Father Lin’s “Introduction to the Bible" instruction deepened my understanding of Scripture. The Bible is not a distant text but a guide for faith and life. Its essence lies in "loving God and loving people," and its mystery unfolds through continual reading, meditation, and putting it into practice. The answers to biblical challenges are found not only from others, but through humble, persistent reading and enlightenment.

A Pilgrimage of Heart and Soul

We were also blessed to make pilgrimages to several holy sites: Banneux, Lisieux, and Lourdes, as well as Notre-Dame de Paris. Setting foot on the sacred land where the Virgin Mary appeared and participating in the Eucharistic celebration allowed me to truly experience the holiness and reverence of these places. Joining the ranks of pilgrims in praise and pilgrimage felt like heaven on earth.

Especially in Lisieux, I received a clear inspiration: I established a small "Thérèse Memorial Hall" in our hospital after returning to China. I will edit and laminate the photos I took in Lisieux, mount them as display boards, and simultaneously restore the statue of St. Thérèse in our hospital to express our devotion to her. Our hospital is named "Thérèse Hospital," a name personally given by our former bishop. He hoped we would, like St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, scatter showers of roses to the world—serving others through small deeds, healing the sick, and spreading God's merciful love. The bishop also gifted the hospital a statue of St. Thérèse in recent years, for various reasons; no special devotion to her had been maintained. Now, upon returning, we have decided to revive this devotion on the occasion of her feast day.

Currently, every sister is diligently reading the book “Story of a Soul” and actively participating in setting up the memorial hall. We hope that this is not only an exhibition space, but a corner for spirituality, where people can pause from their busyness, engage in contemplation, and follow the Little Way of St. Thérèse.

Sister Niu is a contributor to the USCCA blog.

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