Sister Mary Holy Hope, SOLT makes final profession of vows

On Monday, Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Sister Mary of Holy Hope Cheng made her final profession of vows as a consecrated sister in the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated the Mass, assisted by Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant of SOLT and other priests from the Society and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Sister Mary Holy Hope was born in 1978 and raised in Canada. She attended Catholic schools throughout her childhood. Her parents had emigrated from China to Canada before they were married and their two daughters were born, and they appreciated all the opportunities their new country provided for their family.

Sister Holy Hope said that though her family was not accustomed to practicing the faith when she was growing up, her attendance at Catholic school presented her with the possibility of living a consecrated life.

“Our priest would always ask us to pray for more vocations to the priesthood and the religious life,” Sister Holy Hope said. “When I was 12-years-old, I just woke up one morning and knew that I wanted to be a sister. God always finds a way to call,” she said.
In her young adult life, Sister Holy Hope was introduced to the religious order Companions of the Cross. She made a Marian Consecration and became interested in joining an order with a deep Marian spirituality. One of the members of the Companions of the Cross suggested she look into SOLT.

Along with Sister Holy Hope’s early call to the religious life, she came to SOLT with many other gifts. She attended graduate school in Canada, earning her Ph.D. in chemistry and had two years of teaching experience as a tenure-track assistant professor before joining SOLT. She also is an accomplished musician, having had musical training in piano from the age of five and continuing to learn various musical instruments including violin, harp, viola and organ.

In 2011, Sister Holy Hope took her first vows. She began working as a classroom aide and music teacher at the preschool SOLT operates in Kansas City, Kansas. She also worked as the staff organist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. Each year, Sister Holy Hope and the other members of the Kansas City ecclesial family team organize a sacred music concert to raise money for the preschool that serves the Kansas City community with quality early childhood care and educational development.

Sister Holy Hope is excited to continue her work in Kansas City as a fully professed sister with SOLT.

Photos contributed