Father Shengda (Martin) Zhu
Read the Angelus News article about our new LA priest, Shengda (Martin) Zhu
Fr. Shengda Martin Zhu
“In our Archdiocese, there is a lot of diversity and yet everybody there calls themselves Catholic and to share one faith and one Lord. I think that’s very very beautiful. It’s like a mini universal Church.”
-Fr. Shengda (Martin) Zhu
Age: 28
Hometown: Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
Home parish: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Monterey Park
Parish assignment: St. John Vianney Church, Hacienda Heights
First Mass: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 4:30pm – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Monterey Park, CA
Born a cradle Catholic in China, Shengda Zhu came to the United States with his family in search of a better life at age 12. As a senior in high school, he started questioning the meaning of life and turned to his faith. He read the Catechism of the Catholic Church cover to cover, studied the Second Vatican Council, and examined papal encyclicals. From there, Shengda heard God’s call to go to seminary but he resisted — asking for sign after sign. After the third one, he could no longer deny the call. Learn more about his journey from China to California and what sustains him throughout his discernment.
Thank you for your prayers and support for vocations in our Archdiocese.
Ordination 2026
Learn more about this year’s Ordination and meet the “Class of 2026” – our three newly ordained priests.
