Truong Nguyen
A Vocation Strengthened by Community
When Truong Nguyen became sick while living in an SVD community in Vietnam, he stayed quietly in his room, not expecting much attention. But after lunch, his fellow SVD candidates began to notice his absence. One by one, they came to check on him — bringing milk, cake, and simple gestures of care.
“That moment taught me a lot,” Truong recalls. “I saw the beauty of community life.” It was more than kindness; it was a confirmation. Life as a Divine Word Missionary, he realized, is meant to be lived in community — praying, working, and supporting one another
That sense of belonging has been central to Truong’s formation journey, but his desire to pursue religious life began much earlier. Raised in a small Catholic village in central Vietnam, Truong grew up in a family and community shaped by faith. As a child, he attended Mass with his mother and grandmother, and he still prays the simple bedtime prayer his mother taught him.
At age 13, while serving as an altar server, Truong first imagined himself as a priest. That sense of calling stayed with him through high school, where he made his intention visible in a quiet but deliberate way — choosing to dress simply in black and white, reflecting the life he hoped for. His classmates noticed, affectionately calling him Thầy, a title used for seminarians in Vietnam.
When Truong encountered the Society of the Divine Word at a parish event, he was drawn to the congregation’s missionary spirit and international community. But joining the SVD required passing an English exam — an intimidating challenge for someone who could barely speak the language. Determined to follow his calling, Truong enrolled in a university English program. The first year was difficult, but he persevered, eventually graduating with confidence and earning acceptance into SVD formation in Vietnam.
After completing his initial years of formation, Truong was one of only two candidates selected to continue his journey in the United States.
Over the past two years at Divine Word College in Iowa, he has been immersed in a diverse, international community while pursuing his studies and deepening his commitment to missionary life. Beyond the classroom, he served in liturgical ministry, helped prepare worship resources, and embraced the simplicity of life in the pre-novitiate house. In May, Truong earned his Certificate in Pre-Theology. He now looks ahead to the next stage of formation as he enters the Novitiate in Chicago, where he will continue discerning and preparing for life as a Divine Word Missionary.
“Community life is what attracts me most,” Truong said. “We are brothers. We take care of one another.” It is a vision of religious life that has shaped him — and continues to call him forward.
