On the morning of 19 June, 2025, Archbishop Andrew Chan presided over the reaffirmation of vows ceremony for Sister Amy Joy（王愛美）at St. John''s Cathedral during the Feast of Corpus Christi. In the presence of the gathered clergy, Sister Amy Joy was officially received as the first nun in the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui province.
In his sermon, Archbishop Chan addressed common misconceptions about monks and nuns, noting that many perceive them as detached from the secular world, living in isolated bubbles. However, he highlighted that many nuns he knows are spiritually vibrant and deeply connected to the community. They actively participate in churches, schools, hospitals, charitable organisations, and various institutions, driving their prayer and spiritual lives. They serve as exemplary companions to both believers and non-believers, guiding people to experience the presence of Jesus in their hearts.
Archbishop Chan shared his impression of Sister Amy Joy, describing her as lively and deeply grounded. He emphasised her profound understanding of monastic life and her keen insight into the lives of modern Christians. In a generation filled with anxiety, stress, and even depression due to a lack of self-care, her companionship is invaluable.
Sister Amy Joy''s journey began with studies in economics at the University of Toronto and managing her family''s business. Responding to God''s call, she dedicated her life to Christ, joined the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in Toronto, and took lifelong vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Through her devoted life, she helps others experience the presence of Jesus in their hearts.
About Sister Amy Joy
Sister Amy Joy immigrated to Canada in 1973 and graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in Economics in 1977. She returned to Hong Kong to work and further her studies, earning an MBA from Zhongshan University. In 1989, she was baptised and joined the Hong Kong Methodist Church. She pursued a Master of Divinity from Toronto’s Tyndale University College and Seminary, graduating in 2004. She served as a pastor specialising in women''s ministry at the North Toronto Chinese Baptist Church until 2011. In 2013, she joined the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in Toronto, taking lifelong vows in 2020.
In 2024, Sister Amy Joy returned to Hong Kong to reaffirm her vows and assist the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui in providing spiritual guidance, pastoral care, spiritual practices, and formation ministries, thereby strengthening the prayer and spiritual lives of the faithful.