Sister Anji Fan becomes naturalized citizen

Sister Anji Fan recently took the official oath to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Since she was young, Sister Anji Fan yearned to be a “holy nun.”

Sister Anji grew up in China, but secured entrance into the United States in 1998. She professed first vows in 2002.

Now 12 years later, Sister Anji is also an official United States citizen.

Recently, Sister Anji took her naturalization oath at a ceremony in Chicago.

“It’s a special day and a new milestone,” Sister Anji said. “This changed my citizenship. The ceremony was nice. My friends and sisters were there to witness and celebrate the moment with me, which made the day very meaningful.”

Sister Anji has lived in the United States for 18 years. Currently, she is a teacher at Guerin Preparatory High School, a private Roman Catholic high school in River Grove, Ill. She instructs Mandarin and mathematics.

Sister Anji’s father was also a math teacher.

Sister Anji Fan with a cake presented to her.

In order to become a United States citizen, Sister Anji first had to apply for a Permanent Resident Card (also known as a green card). After five years of living in America, she was then allowed to apply for citizenship.

“I had to pass the U.S. Citizenship test and interview before I could take the oath and become a U.S. citizen,” she said. “I filed the application in September 2013.”
Sister Anji described the oath ceremony as “beautiful.”

“There were 133 people from 48 countries who took the oath in the Chicago immigration office,” she said. “We watched the video that introduces all the faces of America, sang the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ said the oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance.”

After taking the official oath, Sister Anji also registered as a voter.