This is a picture from last year on the site of the new chapel for the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross. The present chapel is very old and survived a bombing by the American forces where two sisters who were praying lost their lives. It is now too small for the over 100 sisters who live there and definitely incapable of holding the 400 sisters who regularaly attend special occasions. So, in the indefatigable spirit of Catholic sisters everywhere, they just decided to build a new and even bigger one.
Here is a picture of the new chapel I took just three days ago. Amazing what can be done with some concrete and bamboo. There were no cranes used, only muscle and lots of work. As you can see, it is being painted as it is being built. The inside of the chapel will be a very light blue as it will be dedicated to Mary. I especially like the staircases that goes up to the entrance. In the middle of the staircases is going to be a pond with a statue of Mary. Underneath the chapel is a very large gathering room, and on the same level as the chapel itself is a promenade that completely encircles it. This will allow sisters to walk and pray while it is raining and the sisters who are in wheelchairs can take a bridge over to the chapel for prayer. It is definitely well thought out.
This is a picture of the inside looking back toward the choir loft. The false ceiling will bring it down a bit, but not that much. Notice the scroll work done on the walls and the painting that has already begun. Sr. Phuong, Vice Superior, gave me the tour and was very proud of what is being done. Oh, and that's Tuyen's head. He like to get into as many photos as he can.I thought you'd like a panorama of the inside so that you can take in the beauty of the building. Now imagine it filled with 400 sisters singing the Magnificat. That's breathtaking.
I caught the sisters bringing in the freshly hulled rice from the field, getting them ready to be dried. They worked hard for three straight days in the rice paddies next to the convent. There is lots of dust, so they wear the face masks. They all looked tired, as it was almost 5:00 and they had been working since 5:00 a.m., but each smiled constantly. Doing God's work sometimes means doing the work of the people.
