FIVE MEN PROFESS RELIGIOUS VOWS, BECOME DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES

An annual survey by the Corporation for National and Community Service recently revealed that 61.8 million Americans donate time to charitable causes. Five men in northeastern Illinois are going even further. On Saturday, Aug. 8, at Techny, Ill., they will profess religious vows and become Divine Word Missionaries, the first step towards dedicating their lives to the service of others.

Of the five men, one has chosen the life of a Brother. The other four are studying for the priesthood. A native of the Philippines, René (Francis) Gerona, 42, became acquainted with the Society of the Divine Word while studying at the Divine Word University of San Carlos in Cebu City. Before coming to the United States in 2005, he worked as a high school teacher and administrator. He has completed a year of studies at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago and will return in the fall. Of the past year, he said: “The novitiate year gave me ample time for prayer, reflection and getting to know God and myself more.”

Peter Toan Bao Huynh, 26, received his associate’s degree from Divine Word College in Epworth, Ia., in 2005 and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Clarke College in Dubuque in 2008. Huynh, who hails from California, said, “Novitiate not only gave me the opportunity to be in touch with God but it also benefited my spirituality as a Brother.” After professing first vows, he will continue in the Divine Word Brother Formation Program in Chicago.

Born in Saigon, Long Huy Pham, 37, earned a degree in Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Saigon before coming to the United States in 2003. He studied English and philosophy at Divine Word College before entering the novitiate of which he said, “In novitiate I have found my spiritual life deeply strengthened and nourished by the spirituality of the Society of the Divine Word.” He will begin studies at CTU in the fall.

César da Silva, 22 expressed his novitiate experience in one word: “Grace. It was a time to discover the beauty of following the Lord Jesus as a Divine Word Missionary.” After completing his novitiate year, he will return to the Portugal Province to continue his education and formation.

Lam Thanh Tran, 28, was born in Vietnam, came to the United States in 2000 and attended Divine Word College to learn English and complete his bachelor’s degree. Novitiate helped him to “stop and ponder my dreams and ambitions compared to reality and the person that I am.” He will begin his theological studies at CTU this fall.