On August 7th, 2010, I professed First Vows and became a member of the Society of the Divine Word. That special day was such an anticipated event for me. Since I first began my study with the SVDs in Epworth, Iowa, six long years have passed. Six years of anticipating that special day when I would profess vows before God, my conferers, and my family. And that day came and passed. It was a joyous celebration! My family from all over the U.S. came and showed their love and support. I felt unique, I was the center of attention that day, and I felt like a star! Now that all the commotion and congratulatory remarks are behind me, I finally have some time to reflect on what that day really meant. At first, it may seem as if that day was all about me. But in actuality, it wasn’t. It was all about God and his love and involvement in our lives
I look back at my discernment and vocational journey, and it’s hard for me to pin-point exactly how and why I am where I am today. But all story and journey must have a beginning, and mine began nine years ago when I was in high school. In most U.S. high schools, students are required to perform some hours of community service in order to graduate. My school required 20 hours! And so I volunteered at a hospital, right across my family home. I helped with paper work, delivering food, visiting old patients; all very “boring” work for me. But then I was asked to help in the pediatric center. My job was to visit children who were hospitalized for a long period of time. Since most of their parents work, there were few visitations, but plenty of sad faces. So I visited them, played games with them, talked with them, and brought a little smile back to their faces. I began to really enjoy my work and felt rewarded when a child smiled. And so 20 hours passed, but I continued to volunteer at the hospital for the next three years until graduation. During those three years, I also volunteered in other areas. I tutored students, taught swim lessons, and built houses for the homeless. I ended up volunteering over 1500 hours without realizing it. And it was through all those hours of being with people in need that I began to hear God’s whispering, calling me to become his reaching-hands to those in need.
Then out of the blue I saw a calendar in my parents’ bedroom, featuring Divine Word Missionaries, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, and Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters. I was moved by the work they do, and somehow was compelled to contact the vocation office. One thing led to another, and I ended up at Divine Word Seminary-College in Iowa, studied abroad in Japan, studied communication at University of Dubuque as a brother candidate, and finally went to novitiate in Chicago. And suddenly there I was, standing before God and his people, professing vows to live Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience as a Divine Word Missionary Brother. How did it happen?
I can only conclude that I was blessed with grace upon grace. The grace to hear God’s calling, the grace of discernment, and the grace of courage. I believe that God continuously whispers in the ears of many people, but few have received the grace to hear that calling. He never ceases to tugs people in their lives, but few have received the grace to discern those pulling. And so often, He has moved the minds and hearts of many people, but few have received the grace of courage to answer and follow. And I believe am assured that for to those many who have answered the call, God has and will continue to give them grace of faithfulness to follow him all the way, to bear his cross, and love as He has loved us!
As I look back on my journey up until now, it has truly a blessing to have heard, discerned, and have the courage to answer. I now pray for the grace of faithfulness, that I may follow Him ever more closely and faithfully, to serve him in serving my brothers and sisters, and to be his sign of love to the world.
The celebration of First Vows was never about me! It wasn’t a celebration of anything I have done, but rather a celebration of God working in our lives. A celebration of the living God who never ceases to call us into relationship with him, inviting us to follow him, asking us to cooperate with him, to be his hands and feet, to mend our broken world. Trusting in this fact, I pray for myself and for you. I pray fervently that our ears will be open to hear his voice, that our mind will be impartial to discern his calls, and that our hearts will be bold and courageous to answer he who calls. And have faith that once we answer, God will grace us with faithfulness to follow him...even to the ends of the earth.
-Nathaniel Nguyen-