Vu Thanh An
by Joseph Nguyen Ly Tuong

In 1981, when Vu Thanh An was soon to be baptized, some of my friends warned me privately: “Vu Thanh An is an artist, a musician. Artists have only temporary inspiration; they just follow the calling of their hearts when doing something. This baptism is simply a ‘one-time inspiration.’ After his emotional crisis, he will quit.”

My answer was that “The real artist always thirsts for the Truth, the Good, the Beauty. God is the source of all truth, good, and beauty. The real artist will recognize God and seek Him. If one runs after evil and lives in greed, then he is not a real artist and will not find God, the source of truth, good, and beauty. If Vu Thanh An is a real artist, he will recognize God, he will find Him.”

Twenty seven years have passed from the time I knew and lived near Vu Thanh An in the communist camps. I have seen his faith grow only stronger and stronger, particularly since 1981.

Vu Thanh An not only believes in God, but he also firmly dedicates his life to serve God and the Church. In prison during 1983, he consecrated his life to Holy Mother Mary, and began taking part with us in the International Soldier of Fatima Movement. Upon his release from prison, he came to the United States and entered the formation program for the Diaconate. This is not something that is easy to do. One needs to have a good education to study subjects such as the Catechism, canon law, the history of the Church, theology, and administration. Not only is the schooling rigorous, but Vu Thanh An had to show a great degree of dedication to developing his own Catholic spirituality in Faith, Trust, and Charity.

When I was informed that Vu Thanh An is to be ordained a Deacon on November 23, 2002 in Portland, Oregon, USA, I was very glad. I realized that to me, An is exemplified by the areca-nut tree, a coconut tree stretching to the sky with big foliage. An is very tall, taller than the average Vietnamese person such as myself. When I stand beside An, I feel that his presence is stretching, stretching more and more to reach God and the Holy Mother.

I acknowledge that God has blessed Vu Thanh An with special graces. God said, “It is not you who chose me, but I who chose you. It is not you who first love me but I who first loved you.” These graces show the special love that God has blessed An. Together with Vu Thanh An, friends, and relatives in the family, I thank God on the occasion of An’s being called to ordination to the diaconate and I wish Vu Thanh An all the graces which he needs to fulfill the mission which he has been given by God through the Holy Mother, Our Lady of Lavang, Mother of the Vietnamese people.

Joseph Nguyen Ly Tuong

October 1, 2002

The Memorial of Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus, Vu Thanh An’s patroness saint.

Joseph Nguyen Ly Tuong is the fellow prisoner who taught catechism for An, and who arranged his baptism in Room #1, Ha Tay Camp, Ha Son Binh district on March 19, 1981, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the Church.