I was born and raised Catholic by two Vietnamese immigrant parents. Faith was a normal part of our daily life, nights were spent praying the rosary together. As soon as I entered high school, my parents enrolled me into Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể (Vietnamese Eucharistic Scouts). It was there that I discovered how faith and community fit together.
Everything changed my senior year when I lost my dad to cancer. Heartbroken and not knowing how to grieve, I quit Eucharistic Scouts, went to college, and drifted further away from God. I spent nearly every weekend at raves, clubs, or house parties, you name it. I was searching for meaning in all the wrong places. For years, I lived in darkness without even realizing it. My Catholic faith had been reduced to only showing up at Sunday Mass… many times, hungover. I was only physically there, but barely present.
After graduating college and getting out of a long-term relationship, I felt lost and hungry for something more. A desire in my heart drew me back to community which led me to an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Cambodia. It was there that I began to discover the meaning of service.
One yes led to another and in 2018, I attended a young adult retreat that changed everything for me. I had a deep and personal encounter with Jesus, in a way I never have before. I experienced healing and re-discovered God’s love through community. But this time, God was opening a door for me to step into a completely new life. I started living my faith more fully and during the pandemic, I discerned my vocation more seriously. I had to make a choice between two goods: priesthood or a Christ-centered romantic relationship. God answered clearly - I asked my best friend out on a date, she said yes, and now we're getting married. God is faithful!
My heart continues to be on fire, and through photography and filmmaking, I feel called to share my story and faith with others. My fiancée and I also started a small candle business, hoping to spread joy and hope through faith-centered living.