Two young men from Vietnam have made their first profession of vows in the Society of the Divine Word following their postulancy in Thailand and a year-long novitiate in the Philippines.

Hung Dinh Nguyen and Joseph Pham Van Thong joined the SVD Australia Province in Thailand and will now prepare to undertake their seminary studies and formation with the SVD Australia Province at Dorish Maru College in Melbourne.

Vocations Director and co-Formator at Dorish Maru College, Fr Yon Wiryono SVD, represented the SVD Australia Province at the Vows Ceremony held at the Holy Spirit Chapel at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City on July 26.

He said it was a moving occasion, as Hung and Thong, who have been friends since childhood, took their place among 10 young men making their first vows.

It was particularly poignant, given that both had travelled long and winding roads to answer their vocational call.

Thong was born and raised as the youngest of eight sons in a traditional Catholic family, in Ha Tinh Province in Central Vietnam, near the seaside.

“My parents are simple and ordinary people, but they are devout and faithful and that has influenced me a lot,” he said.

Thong was not a keen student and dropped out of school at age 15, working first as a fisherman in Vietnam and then, in 2011 at age 16 he went to Thailand to work in various jobs like washing dishes, waiting tables, working as a kitchen assistant and a security guard before working as an ice-cream seller, roaming the streets and alleys for three years and navigating the many challenges of being a migrant worker in Thailand.

He first came into contact with the Divine Word Missionaries when he attended the Vietnamese Youth Migration Congress organised by Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD, who is based in Bangkok.

“It left a deep impression on me. I was surprised by Fr Anthony’s simplicity and warmth, which attracted me to his life as a missionary priest,”  he said.

He began attending the Vietnamese Mass with Fr Anthony each Sunday and was captivated by his life and ministry.

“I was impressed by his lifestyle and desired to become a religious missionary like him. I became curious about him and the SVD congregation. I felt God calling me through him.”

At age 19, Thong felt a vocational call to become a missionary priest, but having dropped out of school, he felt unworthy. The call came again at age 22, and after seeking advice from Fr Anthony, he returned to Vietnam to complete his schooling.

It took Thong five years to graduate from high school, during which time he continued to discern his vocational call. After graduating, he applied to local religious congregations but was not accepted and then applied to the SVD in the United States, but was unable to secure a visa.

“I thought there was no hope, however Fr Anthony encouraged me, and I applied to the SVD Australia Province. By God’s grace, they accepted me on April 26, 2023,” he said.

After being accepted by the SVD Australia Province, Thong returned to Thailand to undertake the postulancy program for almost a year and began learning English and taking part in pastoral activities with Fr Anthony, before being accepted into the novitiate program in the Philippines.

He said that during the novitiate, by putting Jesus at the centre of his life, he had more time to practice and nourish his life of faith through prayer and sacrament.

“I felt a connection and a deep relationship with God, who is the source of my spiritual life and my vocation,” he said.

Thong said that taking his first vows was a significant moment in his long vocational journey.

“I can say that I have been waiting to become a religious for eight years,” he said. “The first profession was a memorable moment for me. I felt joy, although I know that keeping the vows is not easy. However, I trust in God, I will rely on Him, dedicate my life to Him. Now I can say that, I am very happy.”

Hung grew up in the same part of Vietnam as Thong and said he started thinking about his religious vocation when he was at high school.

“I was impressed by the ministers and the inspiration of religious missionaries and this motivated me to become a religious missionary,” he said.

During his time at university, his longing for religious life became stronger and he seriously considered joining a religious congregation.

His friend Thong, working in Thailand, introduced him to the Divine Word Missionaries and Hung felt drawn by their missionary charism. He joined in April 2023 and undertook his postulancy with Thong, under the care of Fr Anthony.

Hung said that his year of novitiate in the Philippines was a period of spiritual growth and continued discernment.

“During my formation year as a novice, I took every opportunity to deepen my spiritual life, which I considered the foundation of my identity as a religious missionary,” he said.

“Through retreats and contemplation, I offered God my heartfelt gratitude for His guidance and blessings He has bestowed on me, especially throughout the challenges of my vocational journey.

“After one year of training in the novitiate I decided to go further to take first vows, which gave me the opportunity follow Christ’s footsteps and fulfill my longing to be in the missionary field.”

Fr Yon said the first profession of religious vows was a wonderful occasion, with hundreds of people present, including Thong and Hung’s families from Vietnam.

“I have been journeying with Hung and Thong since assessing their application to join SVD’s initial formation and then when they entered the postulancy in Thailand,” he said.

“The first profession of vows was a very beautiful liturgy and a very moving celebration,” he said.

“Around 400 people attended the ceremony followed by a big celebration in the hall with lots of entertainment, performances, singing, cultural dancing and food. It was so enjoyable.

“It was great that Hung and Thong’s families could come from Vietnam to attend the celebrations and witness the first vows of their sons.

“They extended their gratitude to the Australia Province for accepting their sons. They are grateful for the support from SVD AUS and hoping that their sons will make it to their final vows and become SVD missionaries, sent out to the world.

“I really felt the warmth of the families, as they felt the warmth and support from the AUS Province through my presence there.”

Both Hung and Thong will soon sit their IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam and hopefully commence their seminary studies at Dorish Maru College in Melbourne next year.

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Thong (left) with Fr Yon Wiryono SVD and Hung (right) at their First Profession of Vows ceremony in the Philippines

MIDDLE LEFT: They were among a group of 10 young men taking their first vows as Divine Word Missionaries.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Fr Yon with the families of Thong and Hung who had travelled from Vietnam to be there for the occasion.

BOTTOM LEFT: Fr Yon with family members at the celebrations afterwards.