I am Dominic Dang Thanh Sang, a Vietnamese Comboni missionary. How did I come to know about my vocation? It is a question I was often asked. I came to realize my vocation in the sacristy. One day, after morning Mass, my parish priest asked me, “Do you want to become a priest?” I told him, “yes.”
After that, I went home and told my mom about the story. As time passed by, I grew up like any other boy. When I was in grade 11, one evening, my mom suddenly asked me, “Do you still keep the dream of becoming a priest?” This question reminded me of my vocation. I gave her a positive answer. A few days later, she arranged to send me to the Rach Gia parish hostel, where I stayed for almost five years during senior high school and college. While I was staying in the parish, I enrolled to be a candidate of the Diocese. While joining the Diocese’s vocational program, I learned about the different types of vocations in the Church and about vocational discernment.
A decisive moment came when I was about to finish college. I was in a dilemma about which vocation to follow: married life or consecrated life. If I choose consecrated life, then which one should I choose: religious or diocesan life? Spending time in prayer, I understood that vocation is not about my liking; it must come from God. So, I should ask Him to guide me and follow the vocation He wants me to follow. Then, I asked Him for a sign to know His will. His Will is my peace.
THE COMBONI MISSIONARIES
On a sunny day, a friend of mine came and told me, “Sang, do you want to go to Can Tho City to see a foreign priest who is looking for vocations?” To be honest, I agreed to go with him, not because I wanted to see the priest. The main reason was to visit my good friend who was living in that city. Later, I understood how God uses human interest and turns it into God’s way.
Fr. Rocco was the first Comboni missionary in Can Tho city. The first meeting with him was a bit funny. I could not speak English at that time, and Fr. Rocco did not know much Vietnamese. We used sign language more than spoken language. I went home, and I did not think that Fr. Rocco would contact me. A few days after, I was surprised when I received an email from Fr. Rocco. This is how I came to be in touch with Comboni Missionaries. Then, Fr. Rocco came to visit me. After finishing my college, I decided to join Comboni Missionaries in Vietnam. I still remember the moment I first came to the Comboni community in Vietnam. God gave me the feeling that this is my home. It is where I belong.
FIRST CHALLENGES
After one year and a half learning English in Vietnam, I moved to the next stage of my formation in the Philippines where I did my Postulancy and Novitiate. Here, the first and real challenges of my missionary vocation truly began. I experienced moments of home sickness, facing the culture shock, and language barriers. With the grace of God, the help of my formators, and together with supportive and hospitality spirit of my Filipino friends, I overcame them.
In faith I understood that this is how a missionary vocation works; I must be always ready to venture to an uncertainty of life so that the will of God will be done. After every storm the sun always shines. Behind the challenges and difficulties, I see God’s hand guiding, teaching and forming me. I am really grateful to the time of my formation in the Philippines, a place of my joy and growth. It is my first love in the journey of my missionary life.
After my first religious vows, I was sent to Kenya for my theological study. It is where I had great opportunities to live in the international community where I encountered different people and cultures from all over the world. Through my pastoral experiences in Kenya and Uganda during summer time, I have learned that the mission ad gentes are urgent as Jesus said, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers for his harvest.”
After my theological study, I came back to Vietnam and was ordained deacon on 27th May 2026. The next stage will be my ordination to priesthood scheduled for January 2027. At this stage, with faith and trust in the Good Lord, I am joining one voice with Prophet Isaiah and say, “Lord, Here I am, send me Lord.”
