My name is Ton Huu Dang. I was born on October 25, 1984 in Nghe An province, the North of Vietnam. Then, my family changed living place. We moved to the South of Vietnam. My family is living in Dong Nai province, Vietnam now. It is nearby Sai Gon City that is the biggest city in Vietnam. My parents are staunch Catholics and also the good examples of the virtuous and ethical lives to me. As a child, my parents took me to the church every day, thus instilling in me at a very young age the virtues of being a well-rounded Christian. I will always be grateful to them with their support and efforts to build up in me with strong and faith-based moral values. My life has been blessed with countless experiences of family and love. There are night members in my family. My family is a big family with seven siblings including me. I was born in Nghe An, North Vietnam. This is one of poorest provinces of Vietnam. I grew up in Dong Nai province. The weather is tropical so it is very warm. It is wonderful to live there. Dong Nai is developed province of Vietnam. Most local people are workers and farmers. The farmers grow tree crops and tropical fruit such as rubber, coffee, rambutan, durian, mango, sugar cane, etc. My father always said to us, “The shortest way to escape poverty is to gain knowledge. We will do our best to provide you with every opportunity to obtain a good education and be successful in life. And we wish you always are good Catholic people”. I was baptized at Lang Anh Church in the Vinh diocese, Nghe An province. Then, I studied catechism at Xuan Binh parish, Dong Nai provice when my family moved into it. I participated in teaching catechesis there. I was a catechist. This is the nurturing and developing environment for my vocation. When I finished high school, I left Dong Nai province and moved to Sai Gon City in 2003. There, I studied at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to major in journalism. I studied journalism that is my dream. I studied it to improve my Vietnamese writing skills and public communication. It helped me to achieve my vocation. When I was a child, I had had a dream to become a priest. My family hoped that I would be a priest. When I passed the entrance exam at the university, I was a long step on the way to my dream. I was able to study and to have a good job. I am the oldest in my family so I have to help my parents take care of my siblings. I thought a lot about them. I asked my parents about my options and they encouraged me to follow my vocation. I prayed and I made a decision: I wanted to become a religious, and I entered the Congregation of the Missionaries of Faith in 2003. In my life, there were many people who advised me to become a doctor, an engineer, a reporter, or a teacher, but I chose to become a religious brother. My parents always remind me that I have to try to become a useful man of society. They desire that I am able to become a good priest. From my childhood, I paid attention to my vocation. In unrighteous society, I realized my true choice. I want to serve the poor, the unfortunate, and the oppressed. When I met a beggar who was being spurned socially marginalized, I learned a lesson about compassion. I tried to do my best work possible to perform my choice. I attempted to study harder, came into a religious community, and improved my spiritual life. I thought that I can do something useful when I become a religious brother, and eventually, a priest. I felt happy with my own choice. My first vows were on August 28, 2010. I was a member of the Missionaries of Faith in Vietnam province, and made three vows: poverty, obedience and chastity. I took an entrance examination and studied philosophy and theology at Dominican Study Center in Vietnam. I wanted to continue learning, but my superior wanted to send me to America to continue. I was studying the second year of theology at that time. I felt worried because I never went out of my country so I accepted his suggestion. I feel very happy to live here, but I know everything is not easy. I learned English in Vietnam but only little. I only studied English to read some books, and I know that I have some troubles about speaking. It is difficult to me at this time. I believe that the Lord sent me here and that He also helps and leads me. I will try to study each day. I hope that after a short time I can adapt to this new circumstance. I left Vietnam on February 06, 2014 and arrived in the US on February 07, 2014. Everything about the language and the culture are new. However, I received a friendly welcome from everybody at Notre Dame Seminary. I tried to adapt myself into my new life here. From February 7, 2014 to date, I am studying English and theology at Notre Dame Seminary in the State of Louisiana. In the few first months in the United States, I lived as a deaf and mute man. I could speak a little bit, but I could not understand what my friends said. It was lucky for me because I received a lot of assistance from many brothers, priests, and professors at Notre Dame Seminary. After almost six months I felt better. I was getting used to the environment, weather, and food here. In particular, my English was increasingly improving, and I felt happier and better integrated in the United States. Summer 2015 was one of the most beautiful times in life. I have had good experiences in my vocation. After 12 years living great times in the Community of Missionaries of Faith, by God’s hand and with the help of my superior and my brothers, I professed the perpetual vows at Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish in New Orleans East. Now, I am very happy to be a member of Congregation of Missionaries of Faith with all the rights and responsibilities provided in the Constitutions and Norms of the Order. In short, my joy and peace is still in pursuit of the Lord Jesus. I had done the third theology this year. After this third theology, I am ordained as a deacon and spend summer with the Internship program at St. Mary in Bremond and St. Francis in Franklin, Texas. This program will be very profitable to me since it will train me with Diaconate ministry. I look forward to having the help of pastor and everyone in the parish so I can learn more about serving the people of God in my ministry.

You can also call me by my baptismal name, Joseph.