SITER MARIE RÉMI TRỊNH THỊ CĂN
Sister Marie Rémi Trinh Thi Can was born in Hà Nam in 1920 to a pious catholic family. She was the eldest of her family of three sons and four girls. Her youngest sister is a member of the Congregation of Saint Paul de Chartres. Sr. Marie Rémi received her First Holy Communion at the age of 7. Even at this early age she knew how to talk with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Sr. Marie Rémi’s secondary education took place as a boarder at Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres’ school in Hanoi. She first met RNDM Sisters who were also lodging there at that time. Being attracted by the Sisters, at the age of 16, Marie Rémi asked her father to pursue her religious vocation. Her father dissuaded her from following her desire because of her small physical stature. Her parish priest also advised her to wait until she reached the age of 21. Five years of waiting passed, under the guidance of Cardinal Joseph Maria Trinh Nhu Khue, she went alone to an RNDM house in Phat Diem to meet Mother Superior where she asked to enter the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions. Seeing her determination, her father changed his mind and let her follow God’s call.
Sr. Marie Rémi was admitted to the RNDM Aspirancy on February 11, 1941 in Phat Diem. Six months later, in Thanh Hoa, she was admitted to Postulancy, and joined the Novitiate on January 6, 1943. Two years later, on April 11, 1945 she took her First Profession in Thanh Hoa. Her Final Profession took place in 1951 in Phat Diem.
The life of Sister Marie Rémi was an evidence of grace. God chose her to manifest his power through such a small person. During her lifetime, she often shared God’s mysterious intention on her life as she recounted: “At first, I wanted to join the Carmelite Order, but at the first sight, the Mother Superior told me: “You are so small and weak, how can you undertake the Carmelite’s life style”. Her father also repeatedly discouraged her saying “You are too small, you will be bullied by others.” But she firmly replied, “Who would bully me, I have my Jesus!” We never doubted this small and weak creature was a courageous missionary who traveled throughout the country to proclaim God’s love and mercy.
Wherever she was and whatever role she held either a community animator or a catechist, visiting the poor or doing pastoral work, she served with enthusiasm and generosity. Her zeal and her generosity were the fruits of an intimate life with the Lord through prayer. Her life was deeply rooted in Jesus, and her little hands always held on to the hand of our merciful Father. She was convinced that God loved her immensely, and her response was also wholeheartedly. This manifested on her cheerful and peaceful face. In the narrative of her life, she wrote: “If young women know the happiness of religious life, they will break the wall to enter.”
In 2005, she left Cu Chi Community and joined the Sisters in the Rest Home where she spent her days in prayer and reading spiritual books. Her closeness to God was very evident with the rosary beads never leaving her hands. At the age of 90, she still attended daily Mass and wrote prayers or interesting passages to offer to those who paid her a visit.
Sister Marie Rémi generally enjoyed good health. In December 2015, she fell and was rushed to a hospital where she received intensive treatment for more than a month. Knowing that her final call was near, the Sisters brought her to the Community where she was taken care and surrounded by the Sisters and her relatives. Her final call came at 7 pm on February 12. 02, 2016. Now like St. Paul she could say that she has run the race, finished the course, completed her mission and answered God’s final call to His faithful servant.
The funeral Mass on the 15th was presided over by a priest, a nephew of Sr. Marie Rémi, along with other concelebrating priests. Her relatives were present, as were our Sisters from other houses, who had gathered to share in the celebration and send our beloved Sister on her way Home. May she be united with the heavenly choir, praising the eternal love of the Trinity, who was her constant love.