My Name is Hubert (Hai) Dao. I grew up nineteen years in Vietnam before moving to America in 2009. At first, I was started at San Jacinto College for an Associate of art degree in 2010. About two years later, I continued and transferred to the university for Pre-Health programs for my biology major. After seven years, I had a degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Houston- Clear Lake in 2017.
God permitted and allowed me to be born into an ideal Catholic family. My relationship with my parents and brother has always been excellent. They always encouraged and supported me in what I want or dream of doing, especially to do God’s will. My parents and I go to Church almost every day after my first communion. I was doing services at the Church, and all of the organizations had helped me a lot in my spiritual development. My first feel called to the priesthood was when I started doing Altar Server at 13 years old. I feel this job is very to honor me. It is a step closer to living as a person who wants to serve God with all life. Serving and helping priests around for mass makes me think about priest life. Also, the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement organization helped me more independent. This organization aims to teach youths to be virtuous people and good Christians. Moreover, to educate and train youth to become better people and excellent Christians. My vocation was promoted every day through the activities I served the Church. I felt that the distance between God and me become closer. For me, Jesus is the one person who always looks at me with extraordinary love and unconditional forgiveness. I cannot describe how important he is to me because nothing I know can compare him to. Growing up and living in a Catholic family and doing many things for a church helps me realize what I’m going to do for the future. I was so glad, honored, and very excited when I got accepted as a Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston during summer 2018. I was crying in tears but in total peace throughout the entire processing. I realized that I was following God’s call and doing God’s will. I am still praying to God, talking to Him about what I’m thinking and need Him help, and guiding me in discerning the priesthood. I applied to the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston to be a seminarian in summer 2018. After getting accepted into Saint Joseph Seminary College, I started a Pre-Theology program for two years. Even with a different significance (from Biology before entering Seminary to Philosophy and Theology) and a new environment, I completed the Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theology Studies at Saint Joseph Seminary College this summer 2020, all with God’s will my persevering efforts. I have been studying at Saint Mary’s Seminary since 2020 until now.
Favorite Scripture: My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 119: 105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Everything in our lives can change, such as circumstances, health, family, country, and mission. But the Word of God is always the guiding light and existence in our lives. In our life, although each one of us must connect privately with God and seek His will, the Word of God continues to be the foundation for our faith. The Word of God is at the core of our faith life. Dear Lord, I pray to God to make my faith and all seminarians become stronger and trust completely in God’s will as Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace Lord.” Fill our hearts with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.