I was born Dec. 26, 1979 in Vietnam, the oldest son of two, and raised in a strongly devoted Catholic family. I lived in Vietnam for 13 years and migrated to the United States with my family in 1992 under the Humanitarian Operation program sponsored by the U.S. government. I attended Hawthorne Intermediate School and graduated from Hawthorne High in 1998.
While in high school, I had questioned myself on many things regarding life, suffering, death and more, but the most important issue was my quest for the meaning of life. I decided to search for the answer in the vocation of the priesthood with the hope that the light of Christ would enlighten my search.
So right after high school, I entered St. John's Seminary College in Camarillo. Day by day, liturgy, philosophy and daily living experience have given me such joy and meaning in my everyday life. Although philosophy sometimes made me question God philosophically and critically, I have come to appreciate and enjoy studying philosophy very much since it has helped me come closer to the answer for my quest of meaning. The more I philosophize, the more I realize that I am not God, the principal of all beings.
After four and a half years, I completed my degree in philosophy and continued to pursue my priestly vocation. I was admitted to St. John's Theologate in January 2003, and currently am in priesthood formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
I have chosen to become a priest because I believe that the ministry of Jesus has given people so much consolation and joy. Perhaps, consoling people is one of the answers to my quest for the meaning of life.
As I pursue my vocation, I keep in mind this motto: "Everything I do is for the glory of God and salvation of souls." I have a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, especially in praying the rosary. This devotion is a spiritual influence from my mother and the youth group of Fatima.
Am I happy with my vocation? I am very happy because God has given me so much consolation through serving and consoling His people. I also thank God for granting me an Immaculate Mother in whom I found the beauty of humility in the priesthood. Editor's note: This is part of a periodic series spotlighting those in formation for priesthood in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
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