The long-held desire of the Servant of God Joseph De Piro, that the Society expand beyond Malta, continues to take shape. On 13 September 2025, the MSSP celebrated the priestly ordination of its first Vietnamese member, Fr Can Peter Tran. He was ordained in the Diocese of Vinh in central Vietnam.
The ordination was led by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien at the parish of Saint Peter the Apostle, Fr Can’s home parish where he was born and raised. The following day, Fr Can celebrated his first solemn Mass in the same church.
Before joining the Society, Fr Can had graduated in literature and was already discerning diocesan priesthood with the Diocese of Vinh. At the time, his brother, Fr Minh, now a priest in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, was serving as a deacon in St James Parish in Hoppers Crossing, a parish entrusted to the MSSP. Knowing his brother’s desire to enter the seminary, he asked whether the Society would consider him. After explaining the missionary nature of the Society and the readiness required to serve wherever one is sent, the door was opened. Fr Minh passed this on to his brother, who accepted the invitation. He was assigned to the formation house in the Philippines, where his journey to priesthood began.
Fr Can completed his studies in the Philippines and undertook pastoral experience in Australia within MSSP communities. He is currently serving for a brief period in the Philippines while future ministry possibilities are explored. The Society is deeply grateful to the benefactors who, through their generous support and scholarships, made it possible for Fr Can to pursue the vocation he carried since his youth.