Meet Seminarian Vincent Chung Luong
Last month, Seminarian Vincent Chung Luong, was received into the Internal Seminary (Novitiate) at St. Vincent’s Seminary Chapel in Philadelphia, PA. the Very Reverend Stephen Grozio, CM, Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province presided over the mass. Fr. Michael Nyguen, CM, Reactor and Formation Director at Miraculous Medal House in New York, confrères, seminarians, and Vincent’s family were in attendance.
Vincent begins what the Vincentians call the Internal Seminary, a stage which is better known as The Novitiate. This is a year’s program concentrating on deepening Vincent’s spiritual life and introducing him more fully into Vincentian life. Vincent is aiming to become a Vincentian Brother. When he finishes his year’s novitiate, he will take further training in the particular work he will be assigned to do as a Brother.
Vincent’s Story
Growing up in Vietnam and the youngest of eight children, Seminarian Vincent Chung Luong, 30, moved to the USA when he was 18 years old. As a parishioner of St. Helena Parish in Philadelphia, the pastor introduced Vincent to Fr. Marvin Navas, CM, a Vincentian, who was helping with the Hispanic ministry at the parish. Vincent wanted to learn more about the Vincentian community and helping the poor. In 2017, Vincent moved to the Miraculous Medal House in NY and began his formation process to become a Vincentian Brother. In 2021, Vincent graduated from St. John’s University, a Vincentian university in Queens NY, with a major in philosophy.
During his pastoral year in Philadelphia, Vincent was involved in several different ministries. He helped at St. Vincent’s Parish in Germantown, The Miraculous Medal Shrine, and his home parish St. Helena. Vincent also has a desire to work with the youth, he feels the poor need attention in guiding them to the love of God.
With strong conviction and a deep faith in God, Vincent follows his childhood dream of helping the poor. When asked, Why did you choose to become a Vincentian?, he replied: “Because I want to love God by loving and serving his people, especially those who are poor.”
As Vincent journeys along his path, we might also reflect on our own personal journeys. Our stages might be different, but each of us has the opportunity to deepen our relationship with Christ, the evangelizer of the poor. As we do, each of us will hopefully be surprised by joy as we commit our time, talent and treasure to walking in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul serving people who are poor.
Please continue to pray for Vincent and all the seminarians in the USA and in Panama, and ask our Lord to call young men to the vocation of a Vincentian Priest and Brother.
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