4
IN THE DIOCESE
May 21, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
Diocese Will Ordain Two Men as Priests
It was a journey that began at Saint
Victor Parish and will conclude at the
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.
On June 1, Victor Trinidad and John
Hoang will be ordained to the Sacred
Order of the Priesthood. Bishop Oscar
Cantú will celebrate the Mass, which
begins at 9:30 a.m.
“They are both dedicated, striving
for holiness and integrity of life,” said
Father Ritche Bueza, Director of Voca-
tions for the Diocese of San Jose. “I
truly believe that they have the heart
of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ,
the High Priest. I also believe that they
will be true witnesses to the People
of God of the Lord’s presence in this
very challenging world and time, lead-
ing the people not only in word, but,
more importantly, in deed - caring,
supporting, and loving God’s people
unconditionally.”
Bishop Cantu ordained Trinidad
and Hoang as transitional deacons on
November 3.
“It’s always a great joy when a
diocese ordains a new priest,” said the
Bishop. “This is so, not only because
we now have a new priest to place in
ministry – but because this is a sign that
the Holy Spirit is at work in the midst
of our local Church, touching people’s
hearts such that they respond gener-
ously to God’s call to serve the Church.
We will be blessed with a new Father
Victor and a new Father John to labor
for the Lord in our midst.”
Both Victor and John are members
of Saint Victor Parish. Trinidad will be
the first American-born Filipino priest
to be ordained for the Diocese. Hoang
will be the second American-born
Vietnamese priest.
“This upcoming ordination and be-
coming a “father” is a new identity that
is altogether new, exciting, and scary,
just like an expectant father about to
meet his newborn,” said Trinidad.
“Looking back on my formation years
and even before that, God had sent
people into my life in those crucial mo-
ments. They may not all be here with
me now, but I am truly grateful and
blessed they were in my life. Thank you
John Hoang, left, joins Bishop Cantú and
Victor Trinidad at their diaconate ordination
in November 2018.
to my parents, family, and friends who
have supported me. I may be a priest,
but I hope my friends continue to keep
me humble.”
Said Hoang: “I discovered my voca-
tion through prayer,” said Hoang. “The
path to priesthood is not something we
choose on our own, but a calling that
we follow and persevere in.”
On May 21, Bishop Cantú celebrated
the 25th anniversary of his own ordina-
tion to the priesthood.
“Having recently celebrated my
own 25th anniversary as a priest has
given me the opportunity to reflect on
the journey that the past 25 years have
been,” said the Bishop. “And what a
journey! One of fear, of joy, of excite-
ment, sadness at times – but always
utterly fulfilling. I remember when my
nephew Nic (Father Nicolȧs Ramirez)
called me some years ago and told me
he wanted to enter the seminary, and
asked if I had any advice for him. I
shared with him that to me the priest-
hood has been like having a front row
seats at God’s theatre. We get to see
God acting in people’s lives, challeng-
ing them, encouraging them, loving
them. The priesthood is a challenging,
but deeply fulfilling life.”
Learn more about vocations in
the Diocese of San Jose, by visiting
www.dsj.org/vocations.
Photos and a story from the ordina-
tion will be featured in the June 11 issue
of The Valley Catholic.
www.dsj.org/run2019
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@DSJVocations
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This feast commemorates the three-month visit of Mary with her
elderly cousin Elizabeth during Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus and
Elizabeth’s with John the Baptist. The story appears in the first
chapter of Luke’s Gospel. It recounts Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled greeting,
acknowledging Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” and Mary’s
beautiful response, the Magnificat, which begins, “My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord.” Introduced by the Franciscans in 1263,
the feast became universal in the 16th century. The cousins’ visit
has been depicted by many artists over the centuries. An especially
tender “Visitation,” painted by Mariotto Albertinelli and considered
his masterpiece, is on display at the Uffizi in Florence, Italy.
Saints