Lam Thanh Vo

Lam Thanh Vo1st Theology
Theological College, Washington, DC

My name is Lam Thanh Vo. I was born and raised in Ha Tinh, Vietnam. I have four siblings: two brothers and two sisters. My parents are living together in my hometown. I was raised in a Catholic family where the practice of faith and Mass attendance was very important. In my home parish, I participated in activities such as altar service, choir member, youth group, prayer group, charity group, etc. These activities increased my faith foundation. This foundation of faith is also one of the important factors that helps me to remain faithful when I live far away from my homeland.

I graduated from Hue Academy of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2012. I worked and studied in Vietnam, always feeling called to the priesthood from when I was young. In 2017, a Vietnamese organization assisting those called to priesthood arranged for me to come to the United States to study English and philosophy at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. It was here that I was  introduced to the Diocese of Portland, Maine, where I was accepted as a seminarian in 2019. From here, I was asked to come to Theological College, the National Seminary of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to study for priesthood.

Now, my dream is becoming a holy priest of Jesus Christ so that I can love God more fully and have the opportunity to serve and evangelize others. I hope and believe that God will give me this opportunity to learn and serve his people who come from different countries, languages,​​ and cultures in the United States.

Fun Facts:

Hobbies: Soccer, biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, hiking, playing music, listening to instrumental music, singing, etc.

Favorite foods: Seafood, salad, apples, bananas, orange, etc.

Favorite saints: Mary the Mother of Jesus, St. John Vianney, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph, St. Thérèse  of Lisieux, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Favorite authors: Pope Benedict XVI, C.S. Lewis, Dietrich V. Hildebrand, etc.

Favorite churches: St. Peter church in my hometown, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Holy Family Church in Old Town, and Sacred Heart Church in Caribou.

Favorite Bible passage: “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12.)