The Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated the ordination of four new priests on September 5, 2020! Below please find some additional information on each of these four men.
Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C., 27
Year in formation: Transitional Deacon
Hometown: Warner Robins, Georgia
Job/ministry placement:Holy Cross Parish, South Bend
What college did you attend: University of Notre Dame
What was your major? Economics and Philosophy
Patron Saint: St. Vincent Ferrer
Top movie: Airplane!
Top books: Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Top musicians in your playlist: Imogen Heap, Twenty One Pilots, A.J.R.
Most memorable prayer or liturgy you have attended: Closing Mass for World Youth Day 2013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hobbies: Cooking, card games and board games
The place in the world you’d most like to visit: Marseille, France
What drew you to Holy Cross? What drew me to Holy Cross was the sense of community that I witnessed among the seminarians. I saw a group of men who enjoyed being in each others’ company and who helped each other grow into the people God called them to be. Throughout my time in formation I have found that sense of community and brotherhood to be something that integral to life in Holy Cross.
Favorite quote from Scripture: “To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
Joseph Pedersen, C.S.C., 32
Year in formation: Transitional Deacon
Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
Job/ministry placement?Rector, University of Notre Dame
What college did you attend: University of Notre Dame
What was your major? Philosophy and Theology
Patron Saint: St. Joseph
Top movies:Canadian Bacon, The Man from Snowy River, Sneakers
Top books: The Reed of God, Gilead
Top musicians in your playlist: Audrey Assad, Johnny Cash
Most memorable prayer or liturgy you’ve attended: Easter Vigil at the Basilica as a sponsor
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, painting, reading
The place in the world you’d most like to visit: Tahiti
What drew you to Holy Cross? I was drawn to Holy Cross by the joyful witness of priests and brothers who lived happy, healthy and holy lives, filled with zeal for the mission of the Church.
What is your favorite quote from Scripture? “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” Jn 10:27-28
Zach Rathke, C.S.C., 33
Year in formation: Transitional Deacon
Hometown: College Station, Texas
Job/ministry placement:St. Ignatius Martyr Parish
What college did you attend:Texas A&M University
What was your major? Philosophy and Speech Communication
Patron Saint: St. Catherine of Siena
Top movie:Stand and Deliver
Top books:Lord of the World, by Robert Benson, Merton’s Palace of Nowhere by Finley
Top musicians in your playlist: Newton Faulkner and Joshua Radin
Most memorable prayer or liturgy you’ve attended:Tenebrae at the Novitiate: it mixed silence and moving music in a familiar, prayerful space.
Hobbies:Hiking and running
The place in the world you’d most like to visit: Jerusalam
What drew you to Holy Cross? The balance between apostolic ministry, community life, along with Moreau’s spirituality.
What is your favorite quote from Scripture? “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Mt 6:25-34
Gilbrian Stoy, C.S.C., 28
Year in formation: Transitional Deacon
Hometown: Little Falls, Minnesota
Job/ministry placement:Christ the King Parish
Where did you attend college: University of Notre Dame
What was your major? Pre-Professional Studies, Medicine
Patron Saint: St. John the Baptist
Top movies: Snatch, Ocean’s 11
Top books:A Man Called Ove, Perelandra, John Adams
Top musicians in your playlist: Queen, Billy Joel, Les Miserables Soundtrack
Most memorable prayer or liturgy you’ve attended: Candlelight procession in Lourdes, France
Hobbies:Exercise, reading, fishing
The place in the world you’d most like to visit:Prague, Czech Republic
What drew you to Holy Cross? I was drawn to Holy Cross by the variety of apostolates and the joy and brotherhood of the men I knew. I stayed because in Holy Cross I encountered the Lord who invited me to a life dedicated to Him.
Favorite quote from Scripture: “He must increase; I must decrease.” Jn 3:30
We invite you to revisit this page as the ordination date approaches. We will be adding additional information as it becomes available. Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
