When communist forces shuttered Vietnam’s seminaries decades ago, they closed the door on Peter The Hoang Truong’s dream of priesthood. Years later, his unwavering faith would inspire his son to complete the journey he never could.
On Jan. 11, that son, Thomas The Hiep Truong, became the newest priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, joining the Congregation of St. John the Baptist (CSJB), a missionary order whose presence stretches from its 1928 origins in Taiwan to its current ministry at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vancouver.
On a day filled with joy and grace, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, ordained Father Truong to the priesthood at St. Francis Xavier.
“God has made me his priest—a man who can act in the person of Christ,” Father Truong said in his thanksgiving speech, his voice filled with emotion.
Born in Buôn Ma Thuột, the capital of Đắk Lắk Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Father Truong’s early life was steeped in Catholic faith and devotion. His hometown, home to two vibrant parishes serving over 10,000 faithful, provided fertile ground for his vocation through frequent Mass and strong communities.
“My father, a former seminarian, was my first inspiration,” Father Truong said. Despite the hardships of war and the closure of the seminary during the communist takeover of his home country of Vietnam, his father’s unwavering faith became a guiding light in Father Truong’s vocation.
During his second year of college, Father Truong felt a stronger calling to the priesthood, a moment that would transform his life. His path to the priesthood and CSJB formation took him from his formative years at the congregation’s motherhouse in Taichung, before leading him across three continents, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Canada. He completed his theological studies at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission.
Father Truong expressed his gratitude to Archbishop J. Michael Miller for his encouragement and for laying hands upon him in ordination. He also thanked his congregation, St. Francis Xavier Parish, the Vietnamese communities of St. Joseph’s in Vancouver and St. Matthew’s in Surrey, and the many priests, formators, mentors, friends, and family whose prayers and encouragement strengthened him.
He also mentioned his late father, as well as his mother who wasn’t able to attend the ordination, his words reflecting the deep impact of his family’s love and sacrifices on his vocation.
“Mom, thank you for teaching me to pray and for stepping into Dad’s role in shaping my faith,” he said.
Father Truong then had a request of the faithful. “Pray that I may always be faithful to this calling, serving with a heart like Christ’s—one that loves without measure,” Father Truong said, asking for continued prayers as he begins his priestly ministry.
With thanks to Karina Lai, Father Thomas Truong, and St. Francis Xavier Parish.
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