About the Salesians / Brother Paul Phuoc Trong Chu
God works in mysterious ways! I am Br. Paul Phuoc Trong Chu. Growing up in Vietnam, I was wild and mischievous. I played truant and roamed the city looking for adventures or perhaps even cause trouble. Despite my free spirited attitude, my parents encouraged me to attend church. At Mass, I was fascinated with the ceremony even though I had no clue what it was about. I yearned to be an altar server. Oftentimes, I went to Mass early and hung-out at the Sacristy, hoping someone would call me in to serve Mass. My yearning to be closer to the altar stayed with me ever since.
My family and I immigrated to the USA. Immediately thereafter, we became involved with the Vietnamese Catholic congregation. My yearning to be an altar server was still burning within me. One day, before Mass, an altar server approached me and asked if I would like to serve. I was delighted! Like a dream come true! I put on the cassock and the cross and I was ready to serve Mass. I was very proud to be a server on the altar!
A young Vietnamese priest was assigned to my church. Seeing me involved, he told my parents that I should be a priest. I was then in middle school and had no idea of the priesthood. My parents, especially my mother, began to encourage me to discern the religious life. Often, people some even strangers told me I should become a priest. This message was many-time repeated to me by friends, youth leaders, and many people as I journeyed through high school and college.
On vacationing in Vietnam, my family went on an 8-day tour. During the tour of a church, I was captivated by the priest. He preached beautifully to a group of children. There was much love and compassion in his words and his tone. I thought to myself, I want to be this kind of priest. The next day, I was invited to have breakfast with him. He introduced himself as a Salesian of Don Bosco.
A few months after I got back to the U.S., I researched the Salesians on the internet. In September 2006, I did a 4-day come-and-see. I was hooked. Having made the option now for the Salesians I professed my vows on 16th August, 2009.
Questions with Brother Paul Phuoc Trong Chu
1. Hometown and State: Springfield, MA
2. Current Age: 28
3. Age of first thought of religious life or priesthood: 20
4. How and Where did you first meet/hear about the Salesians? First heard about the Salesian in Summer of 2006 while visiting Pleiku, Viet Nam. Though I met Fr. Dominic Tran the Summer of 2005 at a Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth camp in Bridgeport, CT but I didn't know he was a Salesian yet :-)
5. Who is St. John Bosco for you? John Bosco is a beatiful model of holiness whom I aspire to imitate.
6. Why do you want to be (become) a Salesian priest? I truly believe God has called me to be a priest. I desire much to work for the salvation of all people, especially the young. The Salesian Spirit and Mission has captured my heart from the first encounter.
7. Why do you want to be a Salesian priest/brother and not a diocesan priest or religious of another order? I desire and enjoy the Salesian community life. The joyful family spirit of the Salesian is very contagious.
8. One helpful thing from parents/family/friends in your discernment? Their constant prayers and encouragements for me.
9. One obstacle/challenge in your discernment. What advice would you give to somebody who might be facing the same obstacle or challenge? When I was discerning to join the Salesians, the biggest challenge was to be constant in prayer and conviction. The Salesian vocation director at the time suggested I have a spiritual director whom I can go to regularly. So I followed his advice and asked a local pastor to be my spiritual director. This has helped me tremendously in keeping the flame and conviction alive.
10. What is the best thing about being a Salesian for you? To make a difference in the lives of young people. The community life is supportive of my spiritual life and mission with the young.
11. How is being a Salesian or a Salesian seminarian help you in your relationship with God? I feel His presence everyday in the joy and challenges of studies, the apostolate with the young, and community life. The practices of piety and communal prayers help me experience God in ever deeper ways.
12. How has your time in the Salesian formation program helped you grow as a human being? The Salesian formation program has given me opportunities to develop my human qualities. The supportive community helps me to face my own weaknesses, to find the values in them, and to strengthen my vocation toward the priesthood.
13. What are some of the gifts/talents that God has given you and you have been able to use in your ministry with young people? God has given me gift of creativity and patience. I come up with fun and exciting activities for young people to do at camp and youth center. I am patient and attentive to the young by letting them be who they are and try to bring the best out of them.
14. Since you entered the Salesian formation program, if there are some challenges, difficulties, doubts, etc, how would you deal with them? Sometimes in the face of difficulties with studies and community life, I have doubts. Constantly, I surrender myself into the hands of God, find meanings in these struggles, and trust that He will get me through it all. I am open with my director and tell him all my difficulties and wishes and in turn, I receive much support and encouragement from him.