Journey to the Altar
Six Divine Word Missionaries Prepare for Priestly Ordination
It takes years of study, reflection and discernment for a young man to reach priestly ordination. This lifelong commitment demands serious contemplation. However, when the day finally arrives for a Divine Word Missionary to be ordained, it is a moment filled with joy!
Several years ago, six young men began their journeys of discernment with Divine Word Missionaries. Eventually, they professed their temporary, or "First Vows.” Last month, they reached a significant milestone in their religious formation, professing perpetual vows with the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Chicago. This May, they are expected to take the final step toward priesthood through ordination. We spoke with one of them, Deacon Tin Trung Vu, SVD, to learn more about his preparation for this sacred sacrament.
“I am feeling both nervous and excited,” he said. “I feel excited since I’ve spent nearly six years living the vows with lots of ups and downs in discerning and deciding each time my vow renewal came around. Both feelings take turns making me think about what I will do after ordination in order to live a worthy life as an SVD missionary.”
Deacon Tin has been in formation with Divine Word Missionaries for about nine years. He entered in 2014 and spent two years in pre-novitiate and one year in novitiate. On July 13, 2017, he professed his First Vows. Since then, he earned an associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, pursued graduate studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, participated in a Cross-Cultural Program and volunteered at a local parish while continuing his formation.
While the ceremony for a priestly ordination is deeply rooted in religious tradition, there is room for some personal touches. Deacon Tin and the six other men set to be ordained in May 2025 are collaborating to organize their special day and the pre-ordination festivities.
The group initially designated one individual to act as the class representative for communication with their Formation Director, Fr. Bang Tran, SVD. The formator provides guidance throughout the process. The priesthood candidates are encouraged to make suggestions about their special day that are taken under consideration, but the final decisions regarding the event are made by the House Council of the Divine Word Theologate. Each person looks for ways they can contribute using their God-given gifts. Deacon Tin, skilled in photography and graphic design, will coordinate the creation of the event invitations and provide support for photography and videography. He’ll also select options for the group to choose their ordination chasubles, the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the Eucharist.
The six men expected to be ordained next year come from different countries. They include one individual from Togo, two from Mexico, one from the United States, one from South Korea, and Deacon Tin from Vietnam.
“Planning a celebration with people from different cultures brings some difficulties in making decisions,” Deacon Tin acknowledged. “In addition, perpetual vows profession and the Holy Orders Ordinations just happen once in our lifetimes, so it is very meaningful and we all want our culture to be honored. However, in an effort to respect the SVD charism of being a missionary, we will try to not highlight ourselves but the value of the SVD.” The group decided to use cultural cuisines at the celebration to honor their heritages.
“I have to prepare my mind and my heart for this exciting but serious event,” Deacon Tin said. “It is a lifetime commitment that anyone who is going to say ‘yes’ to God’s call should consider carefully.”
He hopes his family will travel from Vietnam to Chicago for his ordination, but there’s a chance that if the expenses are too steep, his mother may not be able to come. However, he remains optimistic that at least his brother and father, who both hold US tourist visas, will be able to attend. Additionally, Deacon Tin plans to invite friends from Iowa who supported him during his undergraduate studies, as well as relatives and friends from Michigan, Houston, and West Virginia.
Deacon Tin is looking forward to his diaconate ministry at Queenship of Mary Parish in the Joliet Diocese in Illinois. He eagerly anticipates his ordination to the priesthood in May and the honor of presiding at his first Mass.
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