Making the Grade
Capuchin friar pursues degree in canon law
By Casey Kleczek
When Br. Truyen Nguyen professed perpetual vows back in August 2020, rigorous canonical study was not what he saw as his future.
“Canon law was not a subject I was interested in,” explains Br. Nguyen laughing, “I was much more interested in existential philosophy. I think the brothers who know me would laugh when the news became public to the province that I would be studying canon law. To see me in my formation, I was not the type of person who would be studying canon law.” But to see Br. Nguyen today, sitting at a desk surrounded by thick textbooks, discussing thesis proposals, it seems very much who he is.
Since August of last year, Br. Nguyen has been earning a Licentiate in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The program is a two-year licentiate program that helps students become acquainted with the whole corpus of church law.
It’s a far cry from the type of work that first drew him to discern religious life with the Capuchins. Br. Nguyen encountered the Capuchins during a college cultural exchange trip to the Philippines. He was moved by their work to alleviate suffering and felt called to work with the poor. After his ordination, Br. Nguyen worked for two-and-a-half years in Montana on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation where he and his brother Capuchins serve in the parishes and schools.
While in Montana, he proposed the idea of pursuing higher education with Provincial Minister Mark Joseph Costello. “I always had a desire for higher education, but it wasn’t exactly clear what subjects I should be studying,” explains Br. Nguyen. “So Brother Mark Joseph and I were mutually discerning and a conversation with him really sparked an idea in me to study something that would be practical for the Province of St. Joseph.” Br. Nguyen proposed canon law, to which Br. Mark Joseph suggested doing so after a few years in ministry.
In Fall 2024, Br. Nguyen moved in with the Capuchins of the Quebec province and began studying at St. Paul University. Br. Nguyen did a lot of research before choosing a school. “This is a great school. Most canonists I spoke with recommended St. Paul University. It’s a very practical and pastoral school,” explains Br. Nguyen, “And I’m just very humbled and grateful to be able to share this experience with brilliant classmates from all over the world.”
For his program, Br. Nguyen and his fellow students will be studying the entire Code of Canon Law. While much of canon law consists of church teaching surrounding marriage, Br. Nguyen will be writing his thesis and specializing on the law of the religious with a goal of helping the province and North American Pacific Capuchin Conference (NAPCC) in the future. He has proposed two theses and is waiting to hear back which topic the dean approves.
As Br. Nguyen approaches the end of his first year, he appreciates how much the rigor of the program has challenged him, “The first few weeks of the Fall semester were difficult as I needed to get accustomed to the canonical language used in the Code and other ecclesiastical documents,” explains Br. Nguyen, “Things got easier with time. I’m much more comfortable with the classes now and gaining more pastoral experience and application of what is presented.” The program has also broadly expanded his former perception of canon law.
“Canon law is not black and white. There’s a lot of gray area and no case is like another. Each case is different,” explains Br. Nguyen, “And I think to do it well you need to treat each person and each case differently to treat them justly. There’s no rubric, no cookie cutter case for everybody.”
Far from an exception to the normal, Br. Nguyen is one of a number of friars the province encouraged to earn degrees and credentials to serve the people they minister to. The degrees and credentials held by the Capuchins of the Province of St. Joseph are too numerous to list, but to cherry-pick a few examples:
Br. Fred Cabras
- Holds a Master's in Social Work from Loyola University
- His advanced degree helps in his role as Director of Social Services at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Fr. Edward Foley
- Widely published, holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame among many other degrees, serves as Duns Scotus Professor Emeritus of Spirituality and served as Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
- Currently directing a grant from the Lilly Foundation on preaching and the neurosciences
Br. Joe Monachino
- Holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and was trained at Hazelden Betty Ford
- Applied his training in healing ministry at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Jefferson House addiction treatment program
- Now, at the Solanus Casey Center, Br. Joe works with guests seeking counseling for addiction
Br. John Celichowski
- Holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University
- Recently earned a Chief Human Resources Officer Certificate from Michigan State University
“The Capuchin Constitutions said that no brother is ever finished with his formation,” explains Br. Nguyen. “So each of us is called to be responsible for our ongoing formation. It’s a process that will unfold throughout our lifetime."
