Novice Class of 2022-2023
On September 1st, four more men received the habit of the Order of Preachers and began their first year of formation as novices. Blessed with different talents and interests, they look forward to giving witness to the kingdom of God as they continue their formation as Dominican preachers.
Meet the 2022-2023 Novice Class for the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus:
Br. Anthony Michael Martin, Br. Paul Goergen, Br. Thomas Maria Johns, Br. Alphonsus Vu
(left to right)
We thank God for these four young men, and ask you to continue to pray for each of them as they begin their first year of religious life.
Br. Anthony Michael Martin is from Portland, Oregon. He graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Oregon State University. He stayed in Corvallis, Oregon this past year to labor as a Volunteer Missionary to the students on campus and at the Newman Center at Oregon State University. Br. Anthony has a great devotion to Mary. He often contemplates the mystery of Jesus entrusting Mary to the beloved disciple from the cross.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
Br. Anthony recently learned to make paracord rosaries so he could help others draw closer to Christ through Mary’s intercession.
Br. Paul Goergen is from St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, he worked for a few years before entering seminary. He studied for both the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter before determining that the Lord was leading him elsewhere. He moved to Southern California where he has worked as a software developer. As he reflects on his vocation journey to this point, Br. Paul perceives a similar dynamic of faith as is seen in the moment that Jesus called St. Peter out onto the water.
Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.”Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
(Matthew 14:28-29)
Br. Paul hopes to ponder all the Scriptures more profoundly so he can fulfill the Dominican ideal to contemplate and hand on to others the things contemplated (contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere).
Br. Thomas Maria Johns grew up in Puyallup, Washington. After an early interest in Aerospace Engineering, he shifted tracks and earned a double major in Philosophy and Mathematics at Gonzaga University while studying as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Seattle. Br. Thomas looks to St. Thomas Aquinas as a model for his Dominican life, particularly noting Thomas’s love of Truth and zeal for study. He also shares the Angelic Doctor’s love of the Eucharist and frequently savors the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6.
Jesus said to the twelve, “Will you also go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68)
Br. Thomas prays that he will have the supernatural faith to stand by Jesus and confess his belief like St. Peter.
Br. Alphonsus Vu was born in Vietnam, and his family moved to Orange County, CA when he was a teenager. Br. Alphonsus earned a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Teaching from UC Irvine. For the past several years he has worked as a substitute teacher in a local school system while also teaching catechism at his parish. Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11 gives him great trust in God the Father’s providential care for each of us.
Come to me, all who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)
Br. Alphonsus finds this rest promised by Christ when praying the Rosary and hopes to lead others to find their rest in Jesus through Mary’s loving presence and intercession.
Interested in helping these young men? Please support them with a gift to the Rosary Sunday Dominican Student Appeal!
