Meet Our SEminarians

Meet our Seminarians > Dat Nguyen

 

Dat Nguyen

Dat Nguyen

Theology IV

 

Home Parish:

Epiphany

San Francisco

 

 

 

Personal Background

What town (and state if not CA)did you grow up in?

San Francisco, CA


Do you have any brothers and sisters?
one brother – (age: 18) he attends UC Irvine
one sister – (age: 21) she attends Cal State San Bernardino


What is your favorite book?

“Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky


What is your favorite movie?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade


What is your favorite band?

Backstreet Boys


What is your favorite sports team?

Pittsburgh Steelers


Educational Background

What high school did you attend?

Bolsa Grande High School, Orange County, CA, and Taylor Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh, PA.


What year did you graduate from high school?

2000


What sports did you play?

baseball and soccer


What co-curricular activities were involved in?
- Student Government while in college
- Political campaigns

- Chemistry Society and Honors Clubs


What college did you go to?

Duquesne University


What year did you graduate from college?

2004


What did you major in?

Chemistry with pre-medicine focus

 

Religious Background

How do you most like to pray?

Daily prayer before going to sleep


How did you know God was calling you to the priesthood?

I thought about the priesthood since I was young, but never did anything about it until I graduated from college.  I decided to give the seminary a try so that I don’t have any doubt in my life… I can’t live with “what ifs.”

 

Were you ever an altar boy?

Yes, for some years.


Who did you talk to about your calling?

My family and parish priests.


What was your parent’s reaction?

Both of my parents were supportive.  My dad asked me important questions before I entered the seminary to make sure that I don’t become a priest for the wrong reasons.  My parents emphasized their support, but also wanted me to know it’s my own decision.


What was your friend’s reaction?

Not very supportive, and some even voiced their strong opposition to my decision.


Who was the priest(s) that influenced your vocation?

The average parish priest who lives out his vocation faithfully each day.


How familiar were you with seminary before applying?

I had a basic understanding of seminary life.


What do you like about the seminary the most?

Formation! I see the seminary as a way for me to reach Christian perfection, and ordination is not something I must have, like graduation.  Therefore, I am open to receive negative feedbacks so I can improve.  I can say confidently that I am now a better man than the one I was four years ago when I first entered the seminary.


Who is your favorite saint?

St. Dominic Savio

 

 

My Story

I went into the seminary in 2005 when we just had the worst crisis in our church with the fallout from the scandal.  I was upset and disappointed because of the horrible sin and crime.  One day, my parish priest said in his homily that we often complain about problem, but have we ever thought that we might be the solution? I found courage in my prayer to give the priesthood a try, and it was a perfect time because I can identify with the cross.  The scandal purified my intentions and it challenged me to conform my life to Christ.