On Saturday, November 12, 2011, the Province of St. Elias and our foundation in Vietnam celebrated the joyous occasion of the profession of solemn vows of Brother Anthony Trung Nguyen, O.Carm. The Prior Provincial, Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., was present to receive the vows, and the main concelebrant was Father Joseph Trung Tran, O.Carm., Regional Vicar and Director of Formation in Vietnam. Many religious and priests also assisted at the ceremony, as well as family members, friends, and all of the Carmelite aspirants and candidates.

A native of Ha Nam in the north of Vietnam, Brother Anthony has been in the formation program of the Carmelite Friars for many years. He entered St. Thérèse House as a candidate on August 15, 2000. In 2005, he came to the United States for the pre-novitiate and novitiate, and was simply professed in Middletown, New York, on June 11, 2007. Since returning to Vietnam, Brother Anthony has been busy. He is currently the President of the student body at the Dominican Center of Studies in Ho Chi Minh City, and in the second semester of Third Theology. Brother Anthony has been the Procurator at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Priory in Ho Chi Minh City for quite a few years and has helped with the Aspirants Program for our aspirants since returning.

Last summer, Brother Anthony was here in the United States to make his 30-day solemn vow retreat, to attend some celebrations, and to meet many of his fellow Carmelites and old friends again. He has done a lot of research and writing on St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, and has given several presentations on her philosophy.

We heartily congratulate Brother Anthony, his family and his community on the occasion of his final commitment to God in Mary’s Order. We look forward with him to a long and fruitful life in the Carmelite vocation.