Fr. Peter Tong reached a silver jubilee – 25 years of monastic vows – on April 6. To mark the milestone, Fr. Peter renewed his vows during Mass on April 3.

Standing before the abbot and surrounded by brothers praying for him, he proclaimed, “I confirm my profession today in thanksgiving for the past and with humble confidence for the future, sustained by the mercy of God and the prayer of the Brothers.”

Born in South Vietnam, Fr. Peter was ordained a priest in 1968. He served first as secretary to his bishop before becoming a chaplain to the South Vietnam Air Force and military hospital during the civil war.

He was later placed in a Viet Cong prison camp, where his captors tortured and attempted to indoctrinate him for 10 years. Ultimately, he escaped and fled to California, where he served as a priest there for some time. After discerning a call to monastic life, Fr. Peter entered Gethsemani in 1994.

Please join us in saying a prayer of gratitude for Fr. Peter’s continued perseverance. Ad multos annos!