FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2018
Contact: Theresa Carson
(847) 412-1606 or tcarson@uscsvd.org
Techny, Ill. – On Saturday, Sept. 15, three young men professed perpetual vows with the Society of the Divine Word at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center in Techny, Ill.
Charles Moat Jr., 36, followed his grandfather’s example and served in the Armed Forces. The grandson of a World War II veteran, Charles, who was born in California and raised in Maryland, joined the Air Force after high school. He was chosen for the Honor Guard and the Air Force Drill Team. Charles earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Divine Word College in Iowa, professed vows in 2013, and completed Cross-Cultural Training Program (CTP) in Argentina. This year, he will complete his studies at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago.
Born in Vietnam, Bau Van Nguyen, 29, came to the United States with his family in 2003. His family settled in California. As a high school student, his uncle invited him to a Mass and reception for Divine Word Father Bang Cong Tran. Father Tran’s stories of Africa intrigued the young man. Eventually, Bau graduated from Divine Word College with a bachelor’s degree and professed vows with Charles in 2013. He did missionary work in Central America for his CTP and will graduate from CTU in the spring.
Victorin Oussoï, 34, who grew up in Benin, entered the Society of the Divine Word in Togo in 2007 and professed vows in Ghana in 2011. He earned a degree in philosophy from Grand Seminaire Interdiocesain Jean-Paul II and came to the United States for his graduate studies in 2012. Victorin, who is proficient in seven languages, fulfilled his CTP in Germany. Like Bau and Charles, he is in his last year of studies at CTU.
All three men will be ordained as transitional deacons on Oct. 7 and will be ordained to the priesthood in May. They have received their first assignments. Charles will serve the Society of the Divine Word’s Western Province in California. Bau will return to Central America, and Victorin will go back to Germany.