Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Growing up in Myanmar, I was surrounded by those of the Buddhist, Muslim, Protestant and Catholic faiths. Living in that diversity helped me learn how to listen, to respect and to adapt. It prepared me well for mission, even here in Hawaii.
Much of my ministry before coming to Hawaii was shaped by formation work and by walking closely with people in crisis. For a time, I served as master of novices in Myanmar. I also worked in the refugee camps there, helping to provide instruction on environmental safety and protection for children and young girls. In our largest camp, we served several thousand refugees.
Since 2021, civil unrest and war have intensified in Myanmar. Entire communities have been displaced, many forced to evacuate from cities into the forests. Despite the danger, we work hand in hand with other religious congregations to provide humanitarian and spiritual aid.
In every mission where I am sent by my religious superiors, it is prayer that sustains me. For example, when I was assigned for six years to serve at the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps, I found it very challenging.
The shrine is located in a beautiful remote place, high in the mountains, but it is not easily accessible. The region also is composed of a strong non-Catholic and revolutionary heritage; thus many people are not particularly religious. Prayer kept me strong there, just as it does now.
When I think about my faith, I return to my childhood. It was my parents and grandparents who set the foundations as we prayed together as a family.
In my personal prayer, I have always drawn inspiration from the saints. St. Therese of the Child Jesus is especially dear to me for her “little way” of love and trust. I also look to St. John Vianney, St. Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi for their pastoral examples. In my studies, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas guided my intellectual formation.
For me, prayer is not only recitation or meditation. Prayer is relationship with God. It is living in his presence and trusting in his love, mercy and forgiveness.
It is possible to pray while working, while serving, while giving one’s time to another. As St. Paul says, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If my relationship with God is deep, then every circumstance and every person become part of my prayer.
My prayer life is not confined to the church or rectory. It is my whole life, wherever I am sent. As St. Benedict taught, “ora et labora” — pray and work. In that rhythm, my mission and my prayer become one.
Father Valentine Sun Tun is a missionary of Our Lady of La Salette. He is 23 years professed and 18 years ordained. He serves as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church.