ATLANTA—Father Augustine Tran will be the guest speaker at the Magnificat breakfast for women on Saturday, Nov. 5. All women are invited to come and to be refreshed in faith during this morning gathering at Holy Cross Church, Atlanta.

Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Father Tran, 48, came to the United States in 1974 when he was a young boy. That journey is but a hint of the distance he would travel in his spiritual pilgrimage from childhood, to college, and beyond.

Father Augustine Hoa T. Tran

Once a non-believer, he became a person who believed in God and talked to God in prayer. A scientifically inclined student, he unexpectedly found deep peace at Mass that had always eluded him. He became a Catholic while in graduate school.

Holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, respectively, he then went to the Vocations Office of the Atlanta Archdiocese. The call to the priesthood led him to seminary and study in theology in Rome, Italy, at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ordained by Atlanta Archbishop John F. Donoghue on Dec. 12, 1998, he has been a priest for nearly 18 years. He has served in parishes of the archdiocese and also has studied canon law and been on the staff of the Metropolitan Tribunal.

For the last 10 years, since 2005, he has taught theology at Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell. He resides at St. Monica Church in Duluth.

The Magnificat gathering begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. It includes a catered breakfast, intercessory prayer, praise and worship led by the music ministry and the speaker’s sharing. The sacrament of reconciliation and the opportunity for individual prayer from a prayer team are available afterward.

Magnificat is an opportunity for women to be renewed and refreshed in the Holy Spirit. Come and bring a friend, sister, co-worker or neighbor. In very busy schedules, this is a morning to be immersed in graces only God can provide.

Doors open early. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 9 a.m. Holy Cross Church is located at 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, less than a mile from the Chamblee Tucker Road exit on Interstate 285.

Reservations are $15 and are made in advance. To register, please send your name, address, parish, contact information and a check made payable to Magnificat Joyful Visitation to Dianne Aube, 317 Shire Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30044. Reservations must be postmarked by Oct. 29. No tickets will be returned. Check-in will be at the door for those with reservations only.

Magnificat meals are held four times a year in Atlanta by the Joyful Visitation chapter of this international Catholic women’s ministry.

Priests and religious are invited to attend free of charge, but reservations are requested to plan for the meal. Since the morning is designed to speak to the hearts of women free of distractions, it is respectfully requested that young children not be in attendance.

For more information, please contact Dianne Aube at 770-375-8817.