Editor's note: This is the 13th in a periodic series spotlighting those in formation for priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
It is quite fascinating for me to come to the realization that I have a call to serve God's people in the ministerial priesthood. There are three criteria which helped me realize this call and respond to it with trust: first, my own passion for serving others; second, my family; and third, another person pointed it out to me.
Since I was a little boy, I have always been participating in the liturgical life of the Church. While I was in grade school, I was an altar boy; "rebel and stiff-necked" I was growing up, but I found myself enjoying "catechism classes" and learning about my faith.
Later on, when my family left Vietnam and settled in California, I began my years of high school education at Claremont High School. My family then registered at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Meanwhile, I was actively participating in the Fatima Youth Group, which I believe has had a very strong impact on me and has helped me tremendously in the early years of my faith formation.
I went on to college, working fulltime while taking a full schedule of classes at Cal Poly Pomona. At that moment, my faith life was dragged down into "the valley of business," perhaps carelessness. I did not have much time for my spiritual growth.
So thanks be to God for my parents and my siblings, who have always been the "rock for my refuge." They always gave me support, encouragement, love and prayers when I needed them the most. Busy though I was, I was trying my best to reserve a few hours on Sunday to fulfill my "Catholic obligations," especially going to church. I also helped teach Vietnamese and religious education to the kids at the parish. I did it because I had the passion of being a servant and the love of service.
I had never thought about how much God has blessed my family and me with God's grace, love and blessings, nor had I ever thought about the priesthood vocation, until I was miraculously saved from an accident while I was riding my motorcycle. The accident was severe and I was hurt, but it was as an eye-opening event in my life. From that moment, I was able to experience God constantly pouring out His love, grace and blessings upon my life.
"My hands are too small," I told God, "yet You keep pouring out your love, grace and blessings upon me." My response to this has been: "Lord, all I have is my unworthy life, take it and mold it and use it however You want."
As a matter of fact, right before I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, I was offered some very good career opportunities. However, I decided to take some time to discern God's will for my life. I was bothered, perhaps troubled by the question that I had been asked by a priest sometime ago: "Have you ever thought about a priesthood vocation?"
It took me a while to come to realize that I actually have the call to serve, especially in the ministerial priesthood. I then contacted the archdiocesan Vocations Office and started the application process; a few years later I was admitted to St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.
I am now in my pastoral internship year, serving at St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes. I will be finishing up my pastoral year at the end of June 2006. God willing, I will complete my seminary formation and be ordained to the priesthood along with my 17 classmates in June 2008. Please remember us in your daily prayers. |