On Saturday May 12, I will have the honor of ordaining Brother Paul Phuoc Huu Nguyen to the priesthood at the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam (Heavenly Heart) in Kerens, Texas. It is always a great joy to ordain a new priest and this is particularly true when, as in this case, it is as a member of a new foundation.
In 2009 the Monastery of Thien Tam was inaugurated “to be a special presence for the Vietnamese community and to proclaim hope to all.” The monastery is a daughter foundation of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu, NM. Father Abbot Philip Lawrence of Christ in the Desert was instrumental in establishing the Kerens monastery of which Father Dominic Nguyen is the superior.
The Monastery follows the Benedictine tradition composed of monastic observances of daily work, Divine Office, and study.
Monasteries bring a special presence of God’s grace to a diocese and we are privileged to have this Benedictine foundation in our midst. I greatly appreciate their prayers for our Church and diocese and will pray for Brother Paul as he begins his priesthood and for the Monastery of Thien Tam.
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