Father Joseph with his parents.

On March 19th, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Fr. Joseph Nguyen, LC, passed away at the Quirúrgica Sur Hospital in Cancún due to advanced-stage cancer. Below we present a brief biography to honor the life of this brother of ours who has completed his earthly pilgrimage.

Father Dung Van (Joseph) Nguyen LC was born on January 25, 1967. Originally from Vietnam, he emigrated to the United States where he met the Legion of Christ, entering the novitiate on July 9, 1987.

Father Andreas Schöggl, L.C., recalled on the dedicated condolence page for Fr. Joseph a time when he interviewed him: “Father Joseph was a child when his family had to flee. He told me about it with such simplicity, humility, and faith—nothing of ‘war stories,’ spectacular adventures, but gratitude amidst much suffering.”

Father Joseph received the initial sacraments in Phước Tinh, Long Điền, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, the same parish where his parents were married.

Father Joseph with his mother

He completed his novitiate and humanistic studies in Cheshire from 1987 to 1989. Afterwards, he studied philosophy and theology in Rome from 1991 until his ordination in 1998.

“I had the grace of being close to Fr. Joseph when he was a novice. He shone with humility and charity,” comments Father Dean Stasell, LC.

He made his first profession of vows on September 10, 1989. His perpetual profession was on December 3, 1995. He was ordained a priest on December 24, 1998.

Since his ordination in 1998, Fr. Joseph served his ministry in the Prelature of Cancún-Chetumal (now elevated to a diocese), working briefly as chaplain at the Instituto Cumbres Cozumel and, from September 1999, as pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cancún.

Lourdes del Carmen López Orozco comments: “Many years ago, we hardly understood his words in Spanish, and over the years, we even enjoyed his phrases in the homily […] deep, simple, colloquial, fun, and educational in the way of God.”

After battling cancer, Fr. Joseph passed away on March 19th. The funeral Mass and burial took place the following day at the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Philip the Martyr, in the Municipality of Bonfil, Quintana Roo. Mons. Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C., bishop of Cancún-Chetumal, presided over the Mass.

We thank God for the gift of life and priestly vocation of Fr. Joseph Nguyen. Let us pray for his eternal rest and ask God to grant peace and strength to his family.

“Father Joseph, dear companion in the novitiate. Our patron Saint Joseph called you home precisely today. Now that you are so close to God and the Holy Family. Please don’t forget us! May God grant you that much-deserved and earned reward!” (Father Joseph Burtka LC).