Edward K. Ngô Biography

After his parents and five older siblings emigrated from Việt Nam in 1975, Eddie was born in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. After a short stint in Indianapolis, his family settled in North Texas. Being raised in a Buddhist household, Eddie converted to Roman Catholicism after attending the University of Dallas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He then completed his medical degree at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School. Concurrent with his training and work as a chemistry high school teacher and family physician, Eddie taught Sunday school, led Bible study, played worship music, served on medical missions, participated in Đồng Hành Christian Life Communities, and gave retreats. After three years of practicing medicine, he entered the Jesuits in 2012. As a novice, he taught English as a second language with the organization MEND (Meeting Every Need with Dignity) in the San Fernando Valley in California; interacted with the currently and formerly incarcerated through the Office of Restorative Justice in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; visited patients as a chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California; established a clinic at the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico; and began training as a spiritual director. In first studies, Eddie learned Spanish and studied philosophy at ITESO (Instituto Tecnológico y Estudios Superiores de Occidente) in Guadalajara, Mexico. For regency, he taught physics for sophomores and faith formation for freshmen at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon; completed a writing project at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California; and worked as program director of immersions at Santa Clara University. Eddie next earned his Master of Divinity, Master of Theology and Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, focusing on nonviolent communication. He also served as a deacon at St. Theresa Church in Oakland, California, and St. Clare Parish in Santa Clara, California. After ordination, Eddie will serve as parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix.