Formation Stage

Discernment Year

Home Parish

St. Cecilia, Tustin

Favorite Saint(s)

St. Peter, Pope St. John Paul II, Venerable Fulton Sheen, and St. Cecilia

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of La Vang and Fatima

Favorite Book or Movie

Star wars

Favorite Hobby

Fishing

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?

I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was six years old, but did not take it seriously at the time since I thought also about being an astronaut and police officer. It wasn’t until the summer prior to my freshman year in high school that I began to take my faith more seriously after growing weary of a secular lifestyle. With the encouragement of Fr. Bao Thai, then Pastor of St. Cecilia, I gradually became more attracted to a life centered on joyful relationships, sacrifice, and service through serving at my home parish. Witnessed how the priests at St. Cecilia interacted with parishioners, offered the Sacraments, and lived their vocations inspired me to at least consider the priesthood. This in conjunction with a growing devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Eucharistic Adoration sparked a growing fire within me.

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

I am particularly grateful for the guidance and prayers of my priestly mentors: Fr. Bao Thai, Fr. Michael Nguyen, Fr. Martin Vu, and Fr. Michael Khong. Their example of what means to be a priest and continuous support have been instrumental to my discernment journey. Their radiant love and unrelentless zeal for the Gospel have truly inspired me. Furthermore, I am thankful for the encouragement of my parents, relatives, friends, parishioners, brother seminarians, clergy, and other incredible individuals that have made this journey possible.

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

As my senior year at CSULB approached, I realized that I need to respond to the growing attraction toward priesthood in this crucial time of my life. After much heartfelt prayer, I knew it was time to take concrete steps in my discernment. It was a challenging, yet exciting process, culminating in an evening conversation with my parents, where I shared my intent to apply to the seminary. At the end of our conservation, my mom concluded with a line will be etched in my heart forever: “God has been so good to us and given us so many blessings. Can we not give one chance in this blessed opportunity?” Her words echoed with a theme of hope and unwavering support present in our conservation that sealed my decision to take a leap of faith and apply as a seminarian for the Diocese of Orange.