The ordination of Fr Joseph Doan Thanh Tam SJ on 8 June in Chiang Mai was a significant moment for the Jesuits in Thailand. It represented the divine grace and love of God that flowed through the Society of Jesus, as well as the Jesuits’ commitment to serve the mission in Thailand.
The Most Reverend Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of the Chiang Mai Diocese presided over the ordination ceremony. The Church of the Holy Spirit at Seven Fountains was filled with reverence as Fr Tam knelt before the bishop, dedicating his life to the service of God and the Church. The laying of hands and anointing with sacred oils symbolised the descent of the Holy Spirit, bestowing upon Fr Tam the indelible mark of the priesthood.
A native of Vietnam, Fr Tam began his journey with the Jesuits in 2004 when he joined the candidacy programme at Angel Church in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City. After eight years in the programme, he entered the novitiate in Tam Hà, Thu Duc District, in 2012. He professed his First Vows on 31 May 2014, and subsequently studied philosophy at Saint Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate.
Fr Tam was sent to Thailand in August 2017 to begin his Regency. He studied the Thai language at the Student Christian Center in Bangkok and later served with the Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific. His theological studies took him to the Philippines, where he attended the Loyola School of Theology from August 2020 to May 2024. He was ordained as a deacon on 14 October 2023 at the University Church of the Gesù at Ateneo de Manila University.
In his homily, Bishop Vira commended Fr Tam’s ability to speak Thai. He emphasised the importance of language skills in connecting with diverse communities and encouraged others to follow his example of embracing cultural differences and fostering unity through communication. Bishop Vira also expressed gratitude to Fr Tam’s parents for offering their son to God as a Jesuit missionary in Thailand.
In his thanksgiving speech, Fr Tam reflected on the many blessings he had received throughout his life and emphasised the importance of faith in overcoming challenges. “Looking back, I realise that I always experienced gratitude, surprise, and hope because I recognise that God walks with me in my vocation,” he said.
The Jesuits in Thailand rejoiced with grace and happiness for the gift of Fr Tam’s priesthood. His formation has been characterised by intense study, spiritual discernment, and a deep commitment to the pursuit of truth and service to others. His ordination is a testament to his faith, perseverance, and dedication to the Jesuit charism and the Thai Church.
Fr Tam will be assigned to the Jesuit community in Xavier Hall in Bangkok, as assistant minister while working with the Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific. [Jesuits in Thailand]