HONG KONG (SE): Reverend Mark Nguyen Dinh Minh Tri of the Society of Jesus [SJ], was ordained to the priesthood on June at St. Ignatius Chapel, Kowloon, by Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong. Father Nguyen is the first Vietnamese Jesuit to study Cantonese in Hong Kong, complete his formation, and be ordained here as a priest for the Jesuit Chinese Province.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Robert Ng, Jesuit regional superior, alongside around 40 priests. Reverend Nguyen’s mother and his younger siblings travelled from Vietnam to attend.
During the ordination ceremony, Cardinal Stephen emphasised that priests are, first and foremost, ordinary people grounded in faith and shared humanity before assuming their roles as spiritual leaders. He explained that clergy must prioritise personal integrity and character, noting that being a Christian forms the foundation upon which the priesthood is built. Furthermore, he shared that, as a cardinal, continuous personal growth is essential for him and that it is a journey relying heavily on mutual respect, patience, and forgiveness within the community.
The cardinal then outlined the core sacramental duties of a priest, offering practical guidance: to celebrate sacraments, evangelise, heal the suffering, pray daily, resolve conflicts, and unite the diverse flock with mercy.
Following Reverend Nguyen’s solemn vows to shepherd the flock under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, preach the gospel, celebrate sacraments, and obey his bishop, the cardinal and attending clergy then laid hands on the candidate, invoking the Holy Spirit.
The cardinal then outlined the core sacramental duties of a priest, offering practical guidance: to celebrate sacraments, evangelise, heal the suffering, pray daily, resolve conflicts, and unite the diverse flock with mercy
The newly ordained was then vested with the stole and chasuble—symbols of his ministry. Finally, the cardinal anointed his hands and presented the Eucharistic bread and wine.
In his thanksgiving speech at the conclusion of the Mass, Father Nguyen drew on the wisdom of the Analects of Confucius to express the joy of his ordination. Reflecting on the phrase, “Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?” [
有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎], he expressed deep gratitude to his international guests and to his Hong Kong friends who had warmly welcomed him over the past six years.
Reflecting on his recent theological studies in the United States, he shared his happiness at returning to Hong Kong to put into practice what he had learnt, particularly regarding how to build a synodal Church.
Speaking in Cantonese, English, and Vietnamese, he thanked his global companions, Jesuit brothers, and online prayer partners. He then expressed gratitude to his family from Vietnam for their support, and particularly to his mother for raising him to be a person of deep faith who served as a compass for his religious calling. He also thanked his younger siblings for caring for their mother.
Reflecting on his recent theological studies in the United States, he shared his happiness at returning to Hong Kong to put into practice what he had learnt, particularly regarding how to build a synodal Church
Born in Cà Mau, Vietnam, in 1989 and baptised as an infant, Father Nguyen entered the Society of Jesus in 2013 after earning a degree in Chemistry and took his first vows in 2015. After his philosophical studies in Vietnam, he spent two years mastering Mandarin in Taiwan before relocating to Hong Kong in 2020 to study Cantonese and English.
During his five years in Hong Kong, Nguyen became a familiar face in the local Catholic community, teaching and accompanying students at Wah Yan College, Kowloon, whilst completing his theological studies at the Holy Spirit Seminary College.
On 21 June 2025, he was ordained a deacon in Hong Kong, after which he went to California, United States, to further his studies on synodality at Santa Clara University.
A hallmark of Father Nguyen’s religious calling is his constant smile. He has often reflected that his vocation has been shaped by three smiles: the happy memory of his father’s smile, the gentle smile of Jesus calling him, and the smile he frequently shares with others.
