By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/5/03)
"From now on we’ll be preparing for a more important ordination ceremony for him and for the entire family –to the priesthood," continued Tran the father, who estimated that about 500 Vietnamese attended the Mass for Ordination to the Diaconate.
Trans Looks Forward to Serving God's People
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrated the Mass last Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington and was assisted by diocesan priests and friends of the ordinand. Fathers Paul deLadurantaye, Richard Mullins and David A. Whitestone, as well as Brother David Eddy were masters of ceremonies. The two lectors were from Vietnam, and one reading was made in Vietnamese.
Among the attendees were women of all ages wearing traditional, colorful silk dresses from Vietnam, while most of the men wore formal suits with ties. Thuan Tian was in this group but it wasn’t his suit that made him different. Tian is almost 100 years old, according to family members. He came from Vietnam with the sole purpose of witnessing the ordination of his great nephew.
That emotional moment arrived at 11:30 a.m., when the candidate-to-become deacon was called forward and presented to the bishop, who, following the Rite of Ordination, asked: "Do you judge him to be worthy." Father Robert E. Avella, Bishop’s Delegate for Clergy, responded: "After inquiry among people of Christ and upon recommendation of those concerned with his training, I testify that he has been found worthy."
A standing applause followed Bishop Loverde’s words accepting and confirming the ordination of Augustine Minh-Hai Tran as a transitional deacon. Immediately after, Deacon Tran prostrated himself in front of the altar, symbolizing his entrance to the holy order of deacons.
Deacon Tran was born in Vietnam in 1974, and at an early age he said he felt the call of God. In a previous edition it was also reported that his uncle, Peter Tran Dinh Tu, is the Bishop of the Phu Cuong Diocese in Vietnam.
Tran and his family moved to the United States 12 years ago, residing first in Virginia and later in New York. While living in New York, Deacon Tran strengthened his religious vocations and obtained a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. In 2000, Deacon Tran entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and moved with his family to Annandale. Last summer Deacon Tran was assigned to St. Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax. Now, as a transitional deacon, he wants to continue serving the people of Northern Virginia.
He will receive his diaconate assignment from the bishop next week.
Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.
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