Owensboro, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling is set to be ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Owensboro, coinciding with the National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics. His journey began in a small village in Myanmar, and this ordination marks a significant moment for the Burmese-American Catholic community. The conference, featuring cultural elements and spiritual activities, aims to strengthen faith and community among attendees. With over 1,000 expected guests, the event highlights the growing presence of Burmese immigrants in Kentucky and their cultural heritage.
Owensboro, Kentucky – Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling is set to be ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Owensboro on July 2. This significant event will coincide with the National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics (NCBAC), which takes place from July 1-4 at the Owensboro Sportscenter and Owensboro Catholic High School.
Ma Na Ling’s journey to priesthood began in childhood in a small village in Myanmar, where priests would visit only once a year. These visits were monumental for local Catholics, and as a child, Ma Na Ling was drawn to the priests, initially enchanted by the good food they were served. However, as he matured, he realized that his desire to become a priest stemmed from a genuine vocation rather than mere perks of the role.
His ordination will take place during this year’s NCBAC, which is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees, including both laypeople and priests from Myanmar now residing in the U.S. The conference resumes after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a momentous occasion for the Burmese-American Catholic community.
Western Kentucky has a robust population of refugees from Myanmar, as highlighted by the Kentucky Office for Refugees, which is a division of Catholic Charities of Louisville. Between 2015 and 2019, 849 arrivals from Myanmar settled in Bowling Green, and an additional 460 in Owensboro. Two parishes, Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green and St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro, currently provide Burmese Mass services to cater to the spiritual needs of this community.
The president of NCBAC welcomed the return of the conference, stressing its role in preserving faith and community among Burmese Catholics. The conference will feature attendees of various ages, highlighting family involvement. Activities planned include Burmese Masses, confession sessions, and discussions on apologetics led by several priests, along with layperson John Sailon.
Cultural elements will also enrich the event, featuring dancers representing different ethnicities hailing from Myanmar and traditional Burmese cuisine. However, the travel of priests from Myanmar has faced challenges since the military coup in February 2021, disrupting their ability to obtain U.S. visas and attend events like the conference.
Deacon Ma Na Ling embarked on his journey to Kentucky after completing his pastoral year at St. Michael’s Major Seminary in Myanmar, where he entered the seminary in 2010. Initially, he was uncertain about serving in another country, as he aimed to remain in his village. Together with another seminarian, Stephen Van Lal Than, he arrived in Kentucky in January 2017 after finishing an English as a Second Language program. Van Lal Than has since advanced in his journey, being ordained to the diaconate in April 2019 and to the priesthood in May 2020.
Ma Na Ling’s ordination is particularly notable as it marks the second priesthood ordination of a Myanmar-born priest in the U.S. Most Burmese immigrants in the U.S. have never witnessed an ordination since their arrival, making this event’s significance palpable for the community. There is an essential need to strengthen the spiritual needs of the Burmese Catholic community in the U.S., especially as some members have experienced a loss of faith.
FAQ
What is the date of Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling’s ordination?
Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling is set to be ordained as a priest on July 2.
Where will the ordination take place?
The ordination will take place during the National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics at the Owensboro Sportscenter and Owensboro Catholic High School.
What motivated Deacon Ma Na Ling to become a priest?
His dream of becoming a priest began in childhood while living in a small village in Myanmar, and he realized it was rooted in a genuine vocation.
How many attendees are expected at the National Conference?
This year’s conference is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees, primarily laypeople and priests from Myanmar now living in the U.S.
What cultural activities will be part of the conference?
Cultural elements include dancers representing different ethnicities from Myanmar and traditional Burmese food.
Why was there a hiatus for the conference?
The conference was resumed after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Features of the Event
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ordination Date | July 2 |
| Location | Owensboro Sportscenter and Owensboro Catholic High School |
| Expected Attendees | Over 1,000 |
| Conference Duration | July 1-4 |
| Cultural Activities | Dancers and traditional food |
| Significance | Second priesthood ordination of a Myanmar-born priest in the U.S. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Crux Now: Burmese Catholic Gathering Celebrates Faith, Culture, and an Ordination
- Wikipedia: Myanmar
- Amarillo.com: Double Duty: Bivocational Pastors Lead Church Work, Second Job
- Google Search: Burmese Catholic community
- BBC News: Myanmar
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Catholicism
- NBC News: Catholic Church and Young People
- Google News: refugees from Myanmar in Kentucky
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