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Name: Thien Dinh
Birthdate: September 7, 1976
Favorite Hobby/Interests:Jogging, working out, tennis, traveling, movies, chess, listening to good spiritual talks on cds, reading spiritual books
Favorite Saints:Mary, St. Joseph, St. John Vianney, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Padre Pio, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Vincent De Paul, St. Philip Neri, St. Francis De Sales, Blessed Mother Teresa, Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Almost all of my life, I had never thought about the priesthood nor felt I had any calling to the priesthood. I came to the US when I was 6 years old, and I have been here for over 27 years. I had a successful career in retail management.
On April 8, 2005, the funeral of Pope John Paul II really touched me especially the gospel reading.
It was John 21:15-19 where Our Lord asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” I was very moved by it. I felt it deep inside me. I could not answer like Peter who responded with, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Soon I found myself reading these same Bible verses on a daily basis.
Soon in late June of 2006, I went on a pilgrimage to spend a week in Rome & Assisi, and another week in Israel: Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. This was a life changing trip. And this is really when I felt the calling to the priesthood.
I wish I could say that I have been searching for God all my life, just like the merchant in search of fine pearls in the Gospel. I wish I could say that I realized my fault and repented on my own, just like the prodigal son. I wish I could say that I was a penitent, just like Mary Magdalene. Sadly, this is not the case at all. Mercy is defined as giving something to someone who does not deserve it. God, in His infinite Mercy, converted someone who was not looking for Him nor deserved Him at all – me.
In 2007, I joined the Franciscan Capuchins. They were an amazing group of priests and brothers, who welcomed me with open arms. After discerning further, I still felt the calling to the priesthood but not to religious community life. After living with them for almost 5 months, I left. I contacted the Oakland diocese and am a seminarian studying at Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon for the Diocese of Oakland.