Stephan Huy Tran, O.Carm. and Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm., were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Dominic Lagonegro, auxillary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, on Monday, May 6, 2007, in a ceremony held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middletown, New York. About 200 people were present for the ceremony.

Stephan Huy Tran, O.Carm., was born in Saigon on August 19, 1973. He professed first vows as a Carmelite on June 11, 2001. He recently received his Masters of Divinity degree from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC.

Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm., was born on December 1, 1976, in Dong Nai, Vietnam. He professed first vows on June 11, 2001, and received his Masters of Divinity degree from the Washington Theological Union. He also received a Certificate in Carmelite Studies.

In his homily, Bishop Lagonegro challenged those to be ordained to serve the people of God faithfully. He pointed out that the first apostles acted when called by God. He challenged the newly ordained to act, to respond to the needs of those to whom they will minister. He emphasized the particular role of priests in administering the sacraments and proclaiming the word of God to all.

Bishop Lagonegro said that they will represent the Lord in a manner that enfleshes Christ in our lives by the sacraments they will celebrate, most especially the Eucharist, by their preaching and his teaching and by the example of their lives. In a particular way, the Lord will be present among us and known to us by their friendship with him.

Bishop Lagonegro pointed out that God has given each person particular ministries. Priests are ordained to lead God’s people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel. They share with the bishops in the oversight of the Church, delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its well-being. They are to set the example of the Good Shepherd always before them as the pattern of their calling. With the bishops and their fellow presbyters, they are to sustain the community of the faithful by the ministry of word and sacrament, that we all may grow into the fullness of Christ and be a living sacrifice acceptable to God.

“This occasion was a great day for the church and for the Order. About 14 years ago the first Vietnamese men started living in our community. I wish to thank the many people who worked with our students in their years of formation,” said Very Reverend Michael Kissane, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Saint Elias Province. “We offer our deepest congratulations to both Father Joseph Hung, O.Carm., and Father Stephan Huy, O.Carm., on this historical occasion. I ask your continued prayers for our foundation in Vietnam and also for our foundation in Trinidad. Please continue to pray for our Formation Program and all our students as they continue their journey in Carmel.”