Musician and priest Peter Nguyen Kim Long returns to God, leaving behind more than 5,000 songs.

According to information from the Catholic and National newspaper, priest Peter Nguyen Kim Long, also known as musician Kim Long, was called home by God at 12:00 on June 17, at the age of 84.

Father Peter Nguyen Kim Long - Photo: Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee

Father Kim Long was ordained a priest in 1968. In 1969, he was sent to study at the Pontifical Academy in Rome, specializing in plainchant. In 1961, Father Kim Long published his first collection of hymns, entitled Ca len di .

After returning from studying abroad, priest Kim Long continued to publish the Ca len di anthology up to number 25.

In 1973, the priest was assigned to look after Duc Hoa parish (My Tho diocese). At this time, priest Kim Long taught sacred music at Dalat University, St. Joseph Major Seminary in Saigon...

After 1975, the priest continued to teach at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City; major seminaries in Hanoi , Hue, Saigon; and religious congregations and dioceses across the country.

Father Peter Nguyen Kim Long is the author of about 5,000 hymns, many of which are widely popular in faith communities. A typical example is the Peace Prayer written by Father Kim Long more than 60 years ago.

Priest Peter Kim Long is a giant of Vietnamese sacred music - Photo: Catholicism and the Nation

According to the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, priest Peter Kim Long has 50 years of writing hymns for the church.

On Christmas 2007, at St. Joseph Major Seminary in Hanoi, the Christmas carol night "Singing Songs" was held to introduce typical hymn compositions by musician Kim Long.

Many choirs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City such as: St. Joseph Major Seminary of the Pauline Order, the Lovers of the Holy Cross Order, the Great Church, Ham Long Parish, Thai Ha Parish (Hanoi) and the Passover Choir (Ho Chi Minh City) contributed their voices to create a night of emotional hymns.

Many singers with a knack for hymns such as Hoang Hiep, Luu Huong Giang, Dieu Hien, and Tat Dat performed. Musician Kim Long created his own style through short songs that God cannot mistake , a typical example.

HOAI PHUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhac-si-linh-muc-phero-nguyen-kim-long-ve-voi-chua-de-lai-doi-hon-5-000-ca-khuc-20250617152512523.htm