Name: Long Cao Nguyen SVD

Age: 29

Hometown: Đồng Nai, Việt Nam

Languages: Vietnamese & English

Ministry during novitiate: Teaching guitar to children at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center, a ministry site of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Chicago

Favorite book: “The Wisdom of Thomas Aquinas Transcribed from His Writings” (The Peter Pauper Press, New York: 1951)

Tell us about a time when you felt God’s presence:
A time when I felt God’s presence in my life was when I realized that my prayer had been answered. I had been praying about a specific situation, and one day, I recognized that what I had been asking for had come to pass. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and awe, knowing that God had heard my prayer and responded.

When did you first feel the call to be a missionary?
I first felt the call to be a missionary when I met the SVD vocation directors during the Marian Days in Carthage, Missouri. 

How has living with the SVD brothers and priests at Techny inspired you?
Living with the SVD brothers and priests at Techny has been profoundly inspiring. I have learned a lot from the experiences. Becoming a missionary is not easy; we constantly face many trials and challenges. The real question is, are we willing to take on those challenges?

What was the biggest challenge during this past year?
The biggest challenge during this past year has been adapting to the disciplined routine and intense spiritual focus. However, these challenges also have fostered significant personal growth and a stronger connection with God and my vocation.

What are your hopes for the coming year?
My hopes for the coming year are to develop my knowledge and experience as much as possible for my future as a missionary of the Divine Word.