Martin Ngo (SJ) looks out at Marina del Rey from the bluff. Holly Hinman | Loyolan.
In between the two worlds of filmmaking and Ignatian spirituality stands Martin Go, SJ.
Ngo works and resides on LMU’s campus and has an laudable reputation among students. He attributes this to the enthusiasm of the young students he works with, along with his dedication to spirituality and the film industry.
“When I see young people coming together and living their lives, it makes me happy,” Ngo said with a smile. “But I also think that other Jesuits also tend to draw good energy and hope from student life.”
Ngo describes himself as a performer first, a priest and a professor second, and he uses his strengths in a variety of ways. He believes that God has a specific plan for developing and producing their potential, and that plan includes bringing God’s gifts to young people.
Ngo recalled being told by a priest that he would one day be ordained, but personal challenges, insights and controversy within the Catholic Church made him worry about his future as a priest.
Born into a Catholic family in Vietnam, Ngo’s faith remained strong, but throughout his schooling he was primarily interested in art. “There were a lot of things I loved growing up. I always loved acting,” Ngo said. “When I was in college, I thought, ‘Oh, this is what I was meant to do.’
But God continued to wander into his mind. “[I realized] god was there [all] Of course, it’s not always rosy… but I was trying my best,” Ngo said.
Ngo’s lightbulb moment came when she realized she never had to prioritize one passion over the other. Both filmmaking and the priesthood may be used to serve God in some way.
Additionally, in the words of a friend who worked with Ngo during his training at Boston University in 2018, “If you jump off the ship, you can’t help but steer.” Ngo took a leap of faith that led him to LMU in 2021, where he was able to do more as a member of the clergy than he ever imagined.
The mission of all Jesuits (priests affiliated with the Society of Jesus) follows the Latin principle “cura personis,” which means “concern for the whole person.” On campus, Jesuit takes this principle to a higher level by focusing on the individual and, on campus, the student.
At the university’s School of Film and Television (SFTV), Ngo teaches a production bootcamp to freshmen and primarily helps students create short films in her sophomore class. Movies are exciting to him, mostly because of the excitement that spreads through his students.
Justin McCarthy-Hill, a freshman film and television production major, said, “He is subverting the conventional wisdom of how I would normally expect a priest to be involved in the classroom.” McCarthy-Hill attended Ngo’s class last fall and admired Ngo, finding it insightful that Father is a film professor.
Furthermore, McCarthy-Hill said that his worldview was reshaped by Ngo’s interests, which allowed him to “realize the interdisciplinary abilities that priests can have.” Looking to the future, Ngo told McCarthy-Hill, “I want all faith leaders on campus to approach all the academic and artistic endeavors the university has to offer with the same influence and passion.” he said.
Ngo is directing the class’ film shoot. Photo by Martin Ngo Holly Hinman | Loyolan.
Ngo’s extensive education has identified him by name all over the United States. He studied his Computer Science and Performing Arts at the University of California, Irvine, Loyola Chicago where he earned his Master’s degree in Digital Storytelling, and recently earned his Master’s of Divinity and Certification in Sacred Fields. He studied theology at Boston University. From an observational point of view, no one can categorize Ngo into just his one concern.
If Ngo’s heart is rooted in Jesuit life, his heart and soul are connected to the world of entertainment. He is a member of the Hollywood Acting Academy to expand his acting talent while continuing to work behind the camera. “It’s a necessary escape sometimes,” Ngo said. “I grew up wanting to be a performer and learned the ropes of production along with that, but my heart is in Hollywood. That’s how I connect with my film students.”
Jesuit values seem to blend seamlessly with Ngo’s life at LMU. There is no fine line separating his work from his passion. He makes it a priority to see how his students are doing, especially those involved in film and television production, so that his NGO’s genuine interest in their studies is not ignored.
Meghan Barry, a senior film and television production major and co-leader of NGO’s Christian Life Community (CLC), appreciates how much she cares both academically and personally. I am. “He called me when I was too stressed out about my thesis film. He called me when we started shooting. And when something good happened in my life, he called me. , who is always the first to congratulate me,” Barry said.
In his ministry, Go welcomes students of all backgrounds to the table. His mission is to “continue to be there for those who are hurting the most and to give our lives, just as Jesus did,” regardless of faith or circumstances.
Students often come to Ngo with questions about Catholicism, and when the questions are more serious, such as archaic notions of judgment in the church, he usually says, Hell…that’s not a church. “The church is called to model the radically inclusive love of Christ, and it is difficult but possible,” Go said.
According to Go, the Catholic Church must listen to the voices of young people. “God has instilled a wealth of wisdom in the new generation,” said Go. The Bible says, “If we do not listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking through young people, we will not be able to reap the hope that is emerging in our time. The kingdom of God always belongs to those who are like children.” In other words, he said:
In his belief that an unconditionally loving God trumps every word of man, he debunks terrifying myths and explains how God’s love is quietly manifesting itself in today’s society. . That’s how Ngo operates on campus, and perhaps that’s why students respond so positively to him as a professor and priest.
Throughout his past three years as an ordained priest, Ngo has continued to build on the Jesuit values of care, empathy, and reflection that perfect the spiritual health of the whole human being, and how God works through them and brings them together. I believe this is an example to share with others. The next generation of students.
