Truong Tien Dinh, Michael Dorn and Truyen Nguyen professed solemn perpetual vows as Capuchin Franciscan friars in a Mass held Aug. 15 in the Chapel at St. Bonaventure Monastery.
Professing perpetual vows marks the entry into the Roman Catholic brotherhood of Capuchin friars, representing a culmination of discernment and formation that lasts several years.
Br. Truong Tien Dinh, 30, was born in Vietnam and grew up in Houston. Br. Truong took his first steps of discerning a call to life as a Capuchin Franciscan in 2012, when he entered the Capuchin Postulancy Program in Milwaukee. Br. Truong was drawn to the Capuchins in part because of the community life of the friars, with an emphasis on hospitality. In addition, Br. Truong was attracted by the friars’ approach, rooted in the example of St. Francis of Assisi and the Gospel of Jesus, of joyful, direct ministry to people living in poverty and on the margins.
“I am happy that I am able to pledge my life for the order of Capuchins,” said Br. Truong. “I have nothing but gratefulness to the brothers who have opened the door for me to walk with them in religious life.”
Following his profession of vows, Br. Truong will continue his formation to the Roman Catholic priesthood at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Br. Michael Dorn, 41, is a native of Adrian, Minnesota. Br. Mike took his first steps of discerning a call to life as a Capuchin Franciscan in 2015, when he entered the Capuchin Postulancy.
“This vocation is a gift because of what people throughout my life have invested in me,” said Br. Mike. “And it’s only through their gift and that of God’s grace that I’m called to offer my life to all people through this vocation.”
Before discerning a vocation with the Capuchins, Br. Mike had previously served with AmeriCorps in his early 20s, and had a career as a social worker attending to youth experiencing homelessness and poverty, as well as working with citizens returning from incarceration.
Following his profession of vows, Br. Mike will continue his formation to the priesthood at Catholic Theological Union.
Br. Truyen Nguyen, 27, was born and raised in Vietnam, and migrated to Oklahoma with his family.
Br. Truyen was introduced to the Capuchin Franciscans as a student at Divine Word College during a cultural exchange trip to The Philippines. During the trip, Br. Truyen witnessed many people experiencing poverty, but he also witnessed Capuchin friars working to alleviate suffering by attending directly to basic needs, such as the need for food. Because of the experience, “I really felt a strong call to work with the poor,” said Br. Truyen. Upon returning to the United States, Br. Truyen searched for a men’s religious order emphasizing direct service to people living on the margins, and began the process of discerning a vocation with the Capuchins.
“What made it click for me was last summer, when I ministered along with my brother Capuchins in Montana with the Crow and Northern Cheyenne people,” said Br. Truyen. “I saw the passion and the energy that the Capuchin brothers put forward in serving the people on the reservations, and it was just amazing.” Br. Truyen took initial steps of discerning a call to life as a Capuchin Franciscan in 2015, when he entered the Capuchin Postulancy.
Following his profession of vows, Br. Truyen will continue his formation to the priesthood at Catholic Theological Union.
