Misc | September 19, 2024
“As a Dehonian, I am blessed in many aspects, such as having Adoration and Mass daily for spiritual care; and I learn many insightful ideas and skills from our community. I am happy to be a Dehonian, and I desire to continue to have a deeper understanding and relationship with God as a Dehonian.”
-Frater Hung Pham, SCJ
Frater Hung
Hello! My name is Frater Hung Pham, SCJ. I was born and raised in Vietnam, but moved to Houston in 2008. I graduated in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Houston in 2015. Before entering SCJ candidacy, I worked at the ALS Oil and Gas Company in Houston as a Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) analyst.
I took my first religious vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on August 15, 2020. In June, 2025, I made my final profession. This particular moment in my journey makes me realize how blessed I am to be a Dehonian, as I am called to be a prophet of love and to share this message with the people whom I serve. My perpetual vows do not signify an ending; rather, they represent a continuous love for God and service to His people. I need to perpetually bring God’s love to others and to step out of the sacristy to serve His people.
As a Dehonian, I am blessed in many aspects, such as having Adoration and Mass daily for spiritual care; and I learn many insightful ideas and skills from our community. I am happy to be a Dehonian, and I desire to continue to have a deeper understanding and relationship with God as a Dehonian.
My favorite bible quote is “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love” (Jn 15:9).
I am a member of the Dong Hanh group in Houston, also known as a Christian Life Community group (CLC). I was actively involved with the group when I lived in Houston. This group helped me to grow in my spiritual life. I am still iin contact with the group via Zoom for prayers and reflections.
I was a Minister of Care at the University of Chicago Hospital. In addition, I completed the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in the summer of 2022. These experiences have helped me to learn not only to be present as I distribute Communion but also to provide spiritual care for the sick. I seek to encounter patients with active and empathetic listening and a compassionate presence.
I began my candidacy in Chicago, where I studied philosophy and theology at Catholic Theological Union. Now I am in my last semester at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
I did my pastoral year at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Houston, where I learned and experienced many aspects of pastoral skills such as being involved in faith formation, quinceaneras, and other sacramental preparation, as well as teaching Dehonian Spirituality to our Dehonian Youth, Dehonian Associates, and students at OLG school. These experiences helped me to improve and build my pastoral skills in spiritual, physical, psychological, and ministerial ways.
In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, cycling, gardening, fishing, walking, and running.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Fra. Hung is scheduled to be ordained to the diaconate on December 8, 2025.