In the hands of God: Paul Trinh to be ordained transitional deacon

Seminarian Paul Trinh leads youngsters in a coloring activity during Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Wichita Falls on July 1, 2023. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

There aren’t too many people who can recall the minutiae that surrounded their first Communion day. Paul Trinh not only remembers the Catholic milestone in detail, he considers it the start of his journey to the priesthood.

“When I was little, I didn’t like going to church,” admitted the 26-year-old, explaining he spent a lot of time at Christ the King Parish with his father, Michael, who was director of religious education at the time and his mother, Holly, once the parish’s accountant.

Wearing a suit, holding his first Communion candle, and looking forward to a party that afternoon, a very young Paul Trinh began to feel differently as he waited for his father to finish lesson plans for the following Sunday.

“At that moment, sitting in my father’s office, I realized how much I liked being at church,” he recollected. “I loved the peacefulness. It felt like home. Even at that age, I knew I wanted to do more when it came to my faith.”

Trinh joined the youth group and choir in addition to his Sunday religious education classes. As a teenager, he became a frequent volunteer at parish events and, eventually, began researching the priesthood.

Trinh will make promises of celibacy, prayer, and obedience when Bishop Michael Olson ordains him as a transitional deacon on March 18 in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Fort Worth. The transitional diaconate marks the final year of a man’s formation to the priesthood.

“When it comes to my vocation, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents,” said the seminarian, who entered St. Joseph Seminary at the age of 18 shortly after graduating from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst. “They really encouraged me to live out my faith.”

Now in his eighth year of studies, Trinh is earning a master’s degree in divinity at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio as he prepares to become a deacon. During the rite, Trinh will receive his diaconate vestments from Deacon Truat Van Nguyen from Christ the King Parish and visiting Deacon Joseph Tien Duy Bui from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“I’m taking it one day at a time, living out the Catholic life knowing I’m in the hands of God,” he said. “Having a private prayer life has been helpful.”

The soon-to-be-ordinand prays the Angelus three times a day and finds peace during a Holy Hour because, “just sitting there with Christ makes me realize how present He is in my life.”

Trinh also has a special devotion to St. Vincent Ferrer — a patron saint he shares with his father. The 14th century missionary was known for preaching vigorously on sin, death, hell, and eternity and is credited with many conversions and miracles.

Although the Dominican priest only spoke Spanish, he was understood by people who only spoke French, Italian, or German as well as other languages.

“He is known as the Angel of the Apocalypse because he preached on the Book of Revelation,” the seminarian explained. “I’m also reflecting on the Blessed Mother — particularly the Annunciation — and how she relied on God’s trust and grace.”

As a high school student, the Vietnamese American carefully thought about how he wanted to spend his life. He was advised to find a career he loved versus just something to do.

“My vocation was always driven by love,” he added thoughtfully. “Love the people. Love what you do. Love God.”

Trinh now offers the same advice to other young men and women seeking guidance.

“Think about what makes you holy,” he urged. “Think about what makes you a loving man or woman growing in holiness.”