Alvin Huynh

Formation Stage

Discernment Year

Home Parish

St. Bonaventure, Huntington Beach

Seminary

St. John's Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

St. Joseph, the ardent worker, consummate professional, humble provider.

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of La Vang.

Favorite Book or Movie

"The Church Building as a Sacred Space" by Duncan Stroik

Favorite Hobby

Writing interesting yelp reviews. I love writing yelp reviews. It gives me life. I often laugh at myself when I reread my reviews. It's also neat to see the owners' responses.

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

My journey to the seminary has been a roller coaster. The most standard answer would be, I was drawn to the priesthood through prayer, the witness of faithful priests, and the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit over time. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, participating in the Mass more intentionally, and growing in devotion to the Rosary helped me begin to sense a call that was deeper than my own plans. However, let me dive deeper. At first, I pursued studies in biology and began working in the sciences, which I enjoyed and found meaningful. I've examined pumping cardiomyocytes (heart cells) on their own under the microscope. Generating their own electrical impulse. I've asked students to measure each others' electromyopathy (EMG). I've seen the progression of uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells in terms of signal transduction. I've even responded to emergency calls in the ambulance to assess patients while experiencing humanity. But even during that time, I often found myself wondering whether the Lord might be asking something more of me—something different. I realized that the fulfillment I was seeking wasn’t just in success or service on a human level, but in something eternal. I began to ask the deeper question: Lord, what do You want for my life? Through spiritual direction, conversations with trusted priests, and time spent in silence and discernment, I began to experience peace with the idea of priesthood. It wasn’t exactly a 'aha' moment, but a steady invitation to surrender and trust. Ultimately, I entered the seminary because I want to give my life fully to Christ and His Church, and to discover—through formation, prayer, and community—whether He is truly calling me to serve as a priest.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

Some of the people who influenced my decision to enter the seminary include Fr. Khoa from Louisiana. I think he was the first one to recognize my potential, as he would talk to me at youth camps and events at the parish. He would spend his time memorizing the names of the entire congregation, eventually shaking hands with everyone by going to different exits at the conclusion of each mass. He was very personable. Other priests include Fr. Thanh-Tai, Fr. Martin Duc Vu, Fr. Quan Tran, Fr. Brandon Dang, but most importantly, Fr. Bao-Thai. He was the one who ultimately encouraged me to apply. Coincidentally, he became rector of Christ Cathedral at the same time I was accepted to St. John's Seminary. Additionally, the summer before I matriculated into St. John's, we were able to have our first Marian Days at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in 2022. I have to also mention Bishop Timothy Freyer, who believed in me, representing the Diocese of Orange, as he encouraged me to finish my M.S. in Biology, my thesis chair, Dr. Pace at CSULB who wrote my letter of recommendation and worked closely with me for several years, and formed me.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

Up to that point, the idea of priesthood had always lingered in the background of my life. I admired the priests who had been spiritual fathers to me, and I felt drawn to the beauty of the liturgy and the depth of spiritual life. But I also had other plans. I had spent years studying biology and pursuing a path in the sciences, and I enjoyed that work. Still, I kept feeling like there was something more—something beyond the good things I had chosen for myself. That day, in front of the tabernacle, I finally said: ""Lord, I’m willing to take the next step. If this is what You want, show me the way."" That simple yes gave way to a flood of grace. I reached out to the vocations director, Fr. Brandon Dang at the time (whom I've known since I was 13 and whom unknownginly attended the same WYD in Madrid, Spain that I also attended ) who upon seeing me, responded ""I have been waiting for you all this time."" Doors opened, and peace followed. It wasn’t certainty that moved me forward—it was trust. The moment I gave God permission, everything changed.