Listen to your Heart!

By Bro. Duc Trung Vu, CSsR

What has been part of your life?

I come from a rural village in the northern region of Vietnam, where several martyrs, including one who was canonized in 1988, are revered. It is worth noting that the stories of Vietnamese Martyrs played a pivotal role in shaping my vocation.

My family’s religious background

During my adolescence, my father presented me with a book titled "The Stories of Vietnamese Martyrs," which chronicled the courageous faith testimonies of 117 martyrs in Vietnam. As I delved into its pages, I was filled with admiration for the European missionaries who selflessly propagated the Good News to the Vietnamese people, far from their homeland, friends, and family. I also drew inspiration from my Vietnamese ancestors, who hailed from diverse backgrounds, including priests, seminarians, teachers, farmers, soldiers, and royal officers, all of whom bore witness to Christ through their deaths.

Why I decided to pursue a religious life.

After reading the book titled “The Stories of Vietnamese Martyrs”, my heart was set on dedicating my life to the Lord and serving His holy people as a missionary. Following my university studies in Hanoi, I frequented the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is overseen by the Redemptorists, a congregation with a strong missionary spirit and commitment to serving the poor, especially the most abandoned people. Their simple lifestyle and outreach to the poor further fueled my desire to join their ranks, and I joined the congregation shortly before graduating.

How my religious beliefs have changed over time.

Since then, I have embarked on a journey of vocation that has taken me from Hanoi to Saigon, Western Australia, the Philippines, and Melbourne with God guiding me every step of the way.

What challenges did I face in my religious life?

Although the journey has not been easy, with the challenges of living far from home, adapting to new cultures, learning English, and navigating secular environments. However, I am confident that with prayer and support, I can overcome these obstacles.

My advice for those who are interested (Conclusion)

Let us intensify our prayers for religious vocations, I humbly request that you add me and others to your prayers, so that we may all be strengthened and emboldened to fulfill God's mission in the Redemptorist Congregation.

https://unsplash.com/es/@mmeilner