Brothers Truong Tien Dinh, Michael Dorn and Truyen Nguyen pledge life of service in solemn Mass Aug. 15 at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit

DETROIT — Three Capuchin Franciscan friars professed solemn perpetual vows on Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in a Mass celebrated at the chapel of St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. 

Typically, solemn professions for the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph would take place in Mt. Calvary, Wis., where the Capuchin seminary was first established in 1857, but because of the pandemic, the ceremony was delayed until August and moved to St. Bonaventure.

Instead, Truong Tien Dinh, Michael Dorn and Truyen Nguyen marked their entry into the Capuchin brotherhood at the monastery where Blessed Solanus Casey served as a porter. 

All three men joined the Capuchins after feeling drawn to the order’s communal life of service and ministry to the less fortunate.

Bro. Tien Dinh was born in Vietnam but grew up in Houston. Now 30, he began his discernment in 2012 when he entered the Capuchin Postulancy Program in Milwaukee.

“I am happy that I am able to pledge my life for the order of Capuchins,” Bro. Tien Dihn said. “I have nothing but gratefulness to the brothers who have opened the door for me to walk with them in religious life.”

Bro. Dorn, 41, a native of Adrian, Minn., found his way to the Capuchins after serving with AmeriCorp and having a career in social work with a focus on homeless and impoverished youths as well as citizens returning to society after incarceration. 

“This vocation is a gift because of what people throughout my life have invested in me,” Bro. Dorn said. “And it’s only through their gift and that of God’s grace that I’m called to offer my life to all people through this vocation.”

Br. Nguyen, 27, was born in Vietnam but later moved to Oklahoma with his family. He first introduced to the Capuchins in college during a cultural exchange trip to the Philippines. Through observing the work that the Capuchins did to alleviate suffering, he felt called to work with the poor. 

“What made it click for me was last summer, when I ministered along with my brother Capuchins in Montana with the Crow and Northern Cheyenne people,” Bro. Nguyen said. “I saw the passion and the energy that the Capuchin brothers put forward in serving the people on the reservations, and it was just amazing.”

All three brothers will continue their formation to the Roman Catholic priesthood at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.