Rev. Joseph Tran Diep

OBITUARY
Rev. Joseph Diep Tran, of the Congregation Messengers of Fatima, having received the Sacraments and Last Rites of Holy Mother Church, entered into eternal life on July 11th 2023. Fr. Joseph was the founder of the Congregation Messengers of Fatima, a Roman Catholic Community of Priests and Vowed Religious Brothers in St. Clair, MO. Fr. Joseph was born in Vietnam on June 9th, 1945. He discerned a calling to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and began his studies for the Priesthood in Vietnam but left the country when the city of Saigon fell to the Communist regime in 1975. Fr. Joseph emigrated to the United States, and continued his preparation for the priesthood with the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer (formerly known as Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix) based in Carthage, MO. Fr. Joseph completed his theological studies at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He was Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on Aug. 14th, 1982. In 2022 Fr. Joseph celebrated his 40th Anniversary as a Priest. Fr. Joseph was a gifted and talented man with great faith in Jesus Christ, a deep reverence and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a dedication for serving the Vietnamese Catholic Community in the United States as well as the poor.
Fr. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Mr. Dau Tran and Mrs. Vo Thi Nguyn and a stepmother Mrs. Nhon Thi Pham, one brother, Hoang Van Tran and one sister Hong Thi Tran. He is survived by five sisters: Hien Thi Tran, Tuyen Thi Pham, Huong Thi Tran, Hanh Thi Tran, and Huong Thi Tran. He is also survived by five brothers: Viet Van Tran, Hien Van Tran, Huong Van Tran, Hao Van Tran and Hoan Van Tran. He is also survived by many other relatives living in the United States and abroad. Fr. Joseph will be deeply missed by many relatives and friends, the Congregation Messengers of Fatima, as well as the St. Clare Catholic Parish Community.
Visitation for Fr. Joseph will be Friday, July 21st from 9AM to 8PM and from 9AM to 10:45AM at St. Clare Catholic Church St. Clair, MO with the Funeral Mass at 11AM. Fr. Joseph will be laid to rest at St. Clare Catholic Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.