Sr Lucy: 50 years of prayer in cloistered life in the heart of Singapore

The local Church celebrated with gratitude the significant anniversary of the religious profession of one of the Discalced Carmelite nuns from the monastery that has stood on Bukit Hill since 1938. Her testimony on the diocesan website: “We discover God’s hand in the work we do and in the sisters with whom we live”

Singapore (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Fifty years of contemplative life in the heart of a dynamic Asian metropolis such as Singapore. This is the story featured in recent days by CatholicNews, the website of the local archdiocese, which recounts the celebration held on 13 May in honour of Sr Lucy of the Mother of God, of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, at the monastery situated on Bukit, the hill overlooking the city-state. The Mass of Thanksgiving, presided over by Cardinal William Goh, was attended by around 150 friends of the community, a sign of how the sisters’ prayer and shared life is an important witness even for the lives of many people living outside this place, in the heart of the city.

In his homily, the cardinal emphasised God’s faithfulness throughout Sister Lucy’s vocational journey, describing her perseverance as a true gift. He stated that “God, who chose her, remained faithful to her in both good times and difficult times” and that the Lord had kept His promise to accompany her in her vocation because she had consecrated herself to Him forever.

Cardinal Goh then reflected on the particular challenges of the contemplative life. Unlike those in active ministry, where it is sometimes possible to change one’s role or environment, in the monastery there are no escape routes, nor is it possible to devote oneself solely to one’s preferred activities. It is precisely this communal dimension that becomes a means of spiritual growth.

Recalling the value of fraternal life, the cardinal explained that “we are called to holiness within a community” and that holiness does not consist in isolating oneself, but in growing in love and in relationships with others. It is indeed in daily life together that a person is purified through love, humility and service.

Born Lucy Yeong, now aged 73, Sister Lucy shared some reflections on her experience in the Carmelite Order. Whilst describing monastic life as very simple, she acknowledged that the real challenge lies in not allowing this simplicity to become a routine. She emphasised the importance of “seeing the hand of God in the work we do and in the sisters with whom we live”, building relationships founded on mutual love and forgiveness when difficulties arise.

She also expressed the joy of a vocation that knows no age limits: “Being in the Carmelite Order gives me the joy of never retiring,” she said, explaining that the life of prayer, the heart of Carmelite spirituality, does not diminish with the passing of time but deepens. Finally, looking ahead to the years she has left to live, Sister Lucy concluded with words of great humility: “I can only present myself before God with empty hands, knowing that the Father loves me despite my poverty.”

The monastery of the Discalced Carmelites of Bukit is one of the historic centres of contemplative life in Asia. It was founded in 1938 by the Carmelites of Bangkok, who accepted the invitation of the then Bishop, Monsignor Adrien Devals, to establish a new contemplative community on Bukit Hill. The Carmelite nuns’ life of prayer and contemplation was, however, abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. During the conflict, the nuns were forced to leave the monastery, which had been converted by the British into an anti-aircraft base and subsequently occupied by Japanese forces. At the end of the war, the nuns returned to their home to find it looted and in a state of serious disrepair.

The community of Discalced Carmelites was nevertheless able to resume its journey and, in turn, became fruitful: from the Singapore community, at the request of the local bishops, two further communities were established – in 1981, the community in Seremban, Malaysia, and in 2005, the community in Yangon, Myanmar.