FRIENDS AND acquaintances see the parallel stories of the brothers from Anaheim toward priesthood and think Francis Ang, 32, simply laid down the template for his younger brother, Travis Ang, 29.
Don’t say that to Travis, however.
To do so denies his individuality, personal relationship with God and unique call. It’s much more than a brother-see, brother-do tale.
“I was, like, ‘that’s not my story,’” Travis said of the comparisons. “I wanted my own story.”
In Southeast Asia, there is a saying: same, same but different, which applies to the Angs.
THE ANG FAMILY: FRANCIS AND TRAVIS AND SPEND TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS FRANKIE AND MARGOT AT HOME IN ANAHEIM. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
As similar as their stories may seem, they are not the same.
This year, the brothers are a rare fraternal duo at St. John’s Seminary. Francis, in his seventh year, is to be ordained as a transitional deacon in December, one step from priesthood.
Meanwhile, Travis begins a propaedeutic year to deepen his discernment before taking on academics.
For all Travis’ protestations, the brothers’ journeys are very much alike and not too dissimilar from many who receive the call to ministry.
Both have been involved in church life since early childhood. Parents Frankie and Margot made sure of that, taking them to Mass every Sunday.
Francis said even when he was away in college, mom called every Sunday to make sure he went to church. And Travis, who lived at home, joined them every week.
“No matter what I was doing on Saturday night, I had to wake up by 10 a.m.,” he said of preparing for Mass.
Frankie was a seminarian in the
Philippines starting in middle school. Although he did not pursue the priesthood, he is prominent in the local chapter of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), which raises funds and does mission work. As a result, the Ang boys grew up in a community of clergy and church lay leaders.
Both boys sought lives in service, following their mother into nursing, first volunteering at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach and later entering nursing school and earning advanced degrees, albeit from different schools.
THE “GOOD LIFE”
With well-paying jobs, both enjoyed the party life, travel, dating women and other pursuits.
Francis may have seemed more likely to become a priest. Since his time as an altar server, he was intrigued by the priesthood. His then-pastor was Timothy Freyer, now auxiliary bishop in the diocese, whom Francis credits with providing early inspiration.
Although Francis enjoyed the accoutrements of success, he said, “My heart wasn’t fulfilled. Like St. Augustine says, ‘my heart is restless until it rests in You.’ There were these bigger questions, and I was just searching and searching.”
In retrospect, Francis said his church mentors probably saw his path before he did. Even then, when Francis entered the seminary, “I only thought I was going to last a year or two. But here I am.”
Travis took a bit longer to heed his call. Being a nurse during COVID shaped his journey. He worked 12-hour shifts, surrounded by death and suffering during the pandemic.
While hospital work had led Francis, who was already in the seminary during the pandemic, to ask more questions, Travis said, “I didn’t push my faith away during that time. I was leaning towards it. I needed it to keep a little sane to deal with such a high rate of tragedy. My faith really pushed me through.”
The final nudge may have seemed more of a shove. Travis met a fellow nurse at the hospital, who he said was “perfect” for him. The couple considered marriage until, for reasons Travis didn’t disclose, they broke up on Easter Sunday.
From the death of that relationship, Travis said his calling was resurrected and, after intense discernment, he applied to seminary.
MOM OVERWHELMED
The effect of having both children discern the priesthood has been profound for their parents.
Frankie said he went weak in the knees when he first heard.
“I hope for them to be happy and to be holy priests,” he said. Margot wept and grabbed Travis’ hand when she described what it meant to surrender her children.
“God is not only watching them, but He’s also taking them to be really close. I’m so thankful to God for calling them. What else can I ask for as a mother?
Although being grandparents is off the table, the parents are sanguine.
“Some friends asked, ‘Don’t you want to be a grandma or see grandchildren?’” said Margot, who is a postpartum nurse. “I feel like God gave me this heart to love any children. It doesn’t matter if it’s my grandchildren or somebody else’s children.”
So, how alike are the brothers?
The two recently led diocesan seminarians to a victory over priests in an annual basketball showdown held at Mater Dei High School’s gym this past June. Francis, who was the MVP of last year’s game, was double-teamed consistently.
However, this allowed Francis, who said his playing style is built around the key and mid-range jumpers, to open the floor for Travis to bomb from deep.
Same, same but different.