Marrying is self-giving (Part 1 of 3)

It’s June — the wedding month. Let me tell you a story of three young gentlemen who preferred to marry Christ last Monday, May 30. Leaving their immediate families was the most difficult challenge that they faced, yet they found happiness.

John Nguyen, 26
“To become a doctor or an IT person, but later on the deepest call in myself is to follow God.”

Second to five siblings, John’s early interaction with other catholic students and Dominican sisters during high school in Vietnam inspired him to pursue his dream of becoming a missionary. “I want something more. I want to be a missionary, to be there with people,” said John.

Though taken aback by his mother’s opposition in moving away from the family, John prayed harder. So, his sense of purpose to introduce the gospel to more people forwarded him to take the road less traversed. “Why stay away when you can serve God and stay near the family. But anyway, that’s your life, that’s your decision,” his mother finally conceded.

Nguyen entered a small Carmelite community in Vietnam with 1 Filipino and 2 Vietnamese friars in 2012. In 2013, he was sent to Manila to study English while discovering the Filipino culture. After 9 months, he entered the Postulancy program in Iloilo where he studied Humanities.

“My unforgettable experience in Iloilo was when I was sent to a mountainous area and stayed there for one month. I transferred from one house to another. Challenged by the language, they can understand me but they cannot reply. I ate what they ate and went to farm with them. It was a beautiful experience. I experienced their life and I got more friends.”

After which, he underwent a year-long Novitiate program in Discalced Carmelites in Tugbok, Mintal. “Our program focused more on Carmelite spirituality, like how to deepen our prayer life and knowing what a true Carmelite is.” John describes Carmelite’s spirituality as a prayer, a friendship between God and himself. Two prayers are kept in his heart: to be humble and to be faithful to the vows. Admittedly, he experienced a difficult time giving up his family. In fact, there were times when he would opt to go out, to work and to attend to the concerns of his younger siblings. But his mother prevented him, and advised him not to worry.

After succeeding in three stages (aspirancy, postulancy and novitiate), John took his profession of vows to live a poor, chaste and obedient life last Monday.

“I find every step of my formation challenging since we are expected to imitate Jesus and to give up ourselves to Jesus. An example is to give up my own opinion or ideas. Sometimes, I feel that my idea is correct, but I have to give it up for the community.”

From being a brother, six years to go and soon he will be called Fr. John Nguyen. “My message to the youth is to be true to yourself. Live the desire of your heart. Never abandon prayer. In prayer, you will find out what God wants you to be.”

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Congratulations Bro. John! Let’s find out Bro. Paul Nguyen Ba Khoa and Bro. Justin Berezo’s stories next two Sundays. Thank you Bro Doc for the accommodation of the interview. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala.