Fr. Michael Long Duc Vu, SVD
Vocation Director
Midwest Region
michaellongducvu@aol.com

“My motto during the time I spent at Divine Word College, “Letting Go, Letting Be and Letting Grow,” was helpful in my discernment process,” says Fr. Michael Long Duc Vu, SVD. “I could not have found my SVD calling had I not willingly let go of my other options.”

Fr. Michael was born in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, and grew up in Ngoc Dong, Ho Nai. After being introduced to the Society of the Divine Word by a Maryknoll priest, he enrolled as a seminary student at DWC. “The formation team at Divine Word College “walked” with me,” say Fr. Michael, “helping God to sow the seeds of purpose and missionary life within me.” He graduated in May of 1998, and went on to the novitiate at Techny, Illinois, taking his first vows the following year.

After finishing his second year of theology studies at CTU, Fr. Michael spent two years in Bolivia, South America, for his cross-cultural training program. He appreciates the words of advice he received from Fr. Roger Arnold, his formation director, before leaving: “Learn Spanish; it will help you find joy in your vocation of doing God’s work.” And Fr. Michael says, “I have yet to find an instance where Fr. Arnold’s words are not true.”

Ordained at Techny, Illinois on May 27, 2006, Fr. Michael offers these words from Isaiah, 52:9, to those considering a call to missionary life: “How beautiful are the feet of the messenger bringing good news.”

Fr. Michael adds, “When one is willing to risk all for the sole purpose of proclaiming God’s good news, only then is true beauty found, because it is shown in the person who has found commitment and purpose.”