While attending a Salesian technical school in his native El Salvador, Br.
Jorge Barraza fell in love with the joyful Salesian spirit he experienced there. His
enthusiasm led him to join a youth group at a nearby Salesian parish, an experience that
helped deepen his faith. Three years ago he joined the Salesian Society in the New
Rochelle Eastern Province to develop a closer relationship with God.
Attending Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson, N.J., Br.
Abraham Feliciano first experienced the Salesian spirit. He never forgot the impression it
made. He planned to major in pre-med studies at New York University, but after changing
his major several times he realized that God was calling him to the Salesians. He
completed his novitiate in Rosemead, Calif.
A Vietnamese native, Br. Chinh Nguyen was drawn to the Salesians through
contact with Fr. Tom Nguyen in Stockton, Calif. During his novitiate he helped prepare
teens for the sacrament of Confirmation and visited youths in Central Juvenile Hall in Los
Angeles. To enhance his expertise in the field of youth ministry, he is continuing his
education in the areas of social studies and related subjects at Seton Hall University,
South Orange, N.J.
As a youngster in his native Vietnam, Br. Tri Duc Nguyen learned about the
Salesians in his parish youth program. He relocated with his family to Atlanta, Georgia.
Al-though his parish lacked a Salesian presence, his love of Don Bosco increased. Through
his involvement with a Vietnamese youth movement he made contact with the Salesian
vocation director. Br. Tri is continuing his education at Seton Hall, South Orange, N.J.
Although Br. Johann Uriarte began thinking of the priesthood as a high school
sophomore, it wasn’t until four years later that he realized that God was calling him
to be a Salesian priest to work for the young and the poor. While acknowledging his
unworthiness for such a mission, he takes heart in the belief that "God does not
choose the qualified, but qualifies the chosen."