The Vietnamese Catholic Church
1. Preliminary Stage
According to the Royal Vietnamese Annals, in the year of Nguyên Hòa (1533), under the reign of King Lê Trang Tông, there was a decree already in existence that banned Christianity. The decree mentioned the name and description of an European individual, Ignatio, who by seaway had landed and preached the religion at Ninh Cường and Quỳnh Anh Villages, district Nam Chân (present Nam Định). The document did not mention his congregation, but probably Ignatio belonged to a religious order. Based on the fact that the above decree had been issued before 1533 it is understandable to presume that the Good News of Jesus Christ had been preached before that year of 1533 on the soil of Vietnam. Therefore, it was a very important year in the history of the Vietnamese Catholic Church.
In the very early stage of the Vietnamese Church, the missionaries traveled all over the country. They came from different neighboring countries such as the Philippine Islands, Malacca, Macao, Japan, ... and belonged to a variety of congregations: Society of Jesus (SJ), Dominican Fathers (OP), Order of the Minor Friars of St. Francis (Franciscans, ofm) and the Foreign Mission of Paris (MEP).
2. The Challenging Stage
The seed of the Gospel was sowed in silence, expecting one day to grow in glory. But frightening storms of innumerable raids, arrests, imprisonments and killings have clouded the sky of the Church throughout 4 centuries, under three dynasties. One hundred thirty thousand Vietnamese Catholics have shed their blood to defend their faith, braving all kinds of tortures and sufferings such as execution, exile, property confiscation, refuge in jungle, local discrimination, hostility from authority, misunderstanding from their compatriots, even their relatives, ... Somehow their death sentence had already been signed at the very moment they received baptism.
But the blood of the martyrs is as always the seeds of Christians ("Sanguis Martyrum semen Christianorum", Tertullian). The first seminary was established in 1665 and it was here that the first Vietnamese priests were ordained: Father Joseph Trang (March 1668), Fathers John Huệ and Benedict Hiền (August 1668), Father Luke Bền (1669).
In the early 19th century (1802), the Vietnamese Catholic Church had a sufficiently stable structure as follows:
1. Diocese of Eastern North Vietnam: 140,000 members, 41 Vietnamese priests, 4 missionary priests and 1 bishop.
2. Diocese of Western North Vietnam: 120,000 members, 65 Vietnamese priests, 46 missionary priests and 1 bishop.
3. Diocese of Central and South Vietnam: 60,000 members, 15 Vietnamese priests, 5 missionary priests and 1 bishop.
At the first years of 19th century, the Vietnamese Church was composed of 320,000 believers, 119 Vietnamese priests, 15 missionary priests and 3 foreign bishops. The constant increase of followers as well as a wide development of evangelization have led to the consecration of the first Vietnamese bishop, Most Reverend John Baptist Nguyễn Bá Tòng, on June 11, 1933 at St. Peter’ Basilica by Pope Pius XI who installed him as the coadjutor bishop of Phát Diệm with the right of succession.
Well Established Stage
A memorable event in the history of the Church of Vietnam occurred on November 24, 1960 when Pope John XXIII issued a decree to establish the hierarchy of the Church at Vietnam that consisted of 3 archdioceses: Hà Nội, Huế, Sài Gòn, and 17 dioceses: Lạng Sơn, Hải Phòng và Bắc Ninh, Hưng Hóa, Thái Bình, Bùi Chu, Phát Diệm, Thanh Hóa, Vinh, Qui Nhơn, Nha Trang, Kontum, Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ, Đà Lạt, Mỹ Tho và Long Xuyên.
Consequently in 1976, the Holy See elevated Archbishop Joseph Mary Trịnh Như Khuê as the first Vietnamese cardinal. Succeeding him in 1979 was Joseph Mary Cardinal Trịnh Văn Căn, and on October 30, 1994, Paul Joseph Cardinal Phạm Đình Tụng. The Catholic Church of Vietnam deserves to be called "the eldest daughter" of the Church of Asia.
Tracing back the history, we observe that the Church of Vietnam was born and grew up in the blood of the holy martyrs. More than 130,000 heroic ancestors of ours courageously sacrificed their lives to defend their strong faith to Jesus Christ. On Sunday, June 19, 1998, at the St. Peter Square, Pope John Paul II solemnly canonized 117 Vietnamese Blessed Martyrs: 8 bishops, 50 priests, 16 catechists, 1 seminarian and 41 laymen and 1 laywoman. Their feast day is to be celebrated on November 24.
Translated by: Rev. Vinh Quang Nguyen
Brilliant Testimonies of Vietnamese Martyrs
1/ St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành (Saint Đê)
Out of 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành was the only woman representing innumerable women who have been witnessing their Catholic faith, and also the symbol of Vietnamese mothers who, in silence and patience, are building and maintaining the loving warmth of their home nests, as a source of love constantly flowing out: "Maternal love is like water flowing from the source."
St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành was born in 1781 at Gia Miếu Village, Bái Đền, province of Thanh Hóa. Her father was not a devout Catholic and somehow negligent to the education of his children. During childhood, Agnes was carefully brought up by her own mother and Uncle Lê Công Truờng who were very religious people. At a very early age she lived in her maternal village at Phúc Nhạc, province of Phát Diệm where she led an exemplary life of devotions and frequent holy communions and confessions.
At the age of 17, Agnes married Nguyễn Văn Nhất of Thôn Đồng hamlet, Phúc Nhạc parish, and had the first child named Đê. It was under the latter name that they called her according to the local custom which identified the parents by their first child’s name. They gave birth to 6 children: 2 sons and 4 girls.
Mrs. Đê was a really typical Vietnamese woman and mother, wholeheartedly sacrificing and patiently caring for husband and offsprings as depicted in two following folk verses:
"The heron is toiling by the river side,
Carrying two baskets of rice on her shoulders to feed her husband, sobbing softly."
As a Catholic, her life reflected the spirit of the Gospel:
Educating her children, urging them to attend masses and receive sacraments.
She also showed great compassion towards poor people and never let a beggar go away unsatisfied.
During King Thiệu Trị’s persecutions, she opened wide her doors to welcome priests, among them was St. Khoan as well as Fathers Ngân, Kim, Thành. Her house was consequently converted into a secret meeting place where people gathered to attend mass. Her bravery was a rarity then. That unavoidably caused a military raid onto her house. She was arrested and brought to the Village House. Her house was searched and all her belongings and goods confiscated.
Despite three interrogations with tortures and being dragged over the cross, she loudly proclaimed her faith. The local mandarin had once recourse to a barbarous torture when he ordered that all her pants and shirt sleeves would be tied up and filled up with venomous snakes to terrify her. But she was praying fervently and the Lord supported her with superhuman strength to bear those trials seemingly surpassing her limits.
During those three months in jail, she never uttered any complaints , an expression of joy was maintained constantly on her face. She devoted her time to prayers, rosary recitations, stations of the Cross, and clandestine confessions as well as communions provided by priests working in secret. Nụ, her youngest daughter, on a visit, burst into tears when observing a heavy yoke on her mother’s neck and blood stains on her clothes. She consoled her: "Don’t cry. I am wearing red flowers on my body. The Lord is taking care of me. Go and do your household tasks and fulfill your religious duties. Remember to pray that I may be able to carry the cross to the end."
Wounds caused by tortures kept her in constant fevers and drained out her strength. She was nonetheless always lucid in her prayers: "I commend my soul in the hands of the Lord. Forgive my sins, Oh Lord." Finally she died in prison on July 12, 1841 in Nam Định at the age of 60. Her body was buried right on the execution field Bẩy Mẫu. Six months later they exhumed her body and transferred it to the ground of the parish Phúc Nhạc along with 7 other martyrs.
Lesson:
1. How did St. Lê Thị Thành give witness to her evangelical life?
- She followed the example of the Holy Family at Nazareth and brought her husband and children closer to God, and showed them His presence to the family by her exemplary life of faith. She has converted her common duties into extraordinary feats to the model of Mother Mary and St. Joseph at Nazareth: "They brought the Child Jesus up to Jerusalem so that he could be presented to the Lord." (Lk 2:22); " He went with them then, and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His Mother meanwhile kept all these things in memory and pondered them in her heart." (Lk 2:51)
2. What types of savage torments were imposed on her? What factor helped her overcome all trials? Why did she tell her daughter that she was wearing red flowers on her body?
Practice:
1. Do I have any concrete acts to help my family members recognize God’s presence within my family?
2. Do I feel my parents’ love when they keep reminding me of my duties toward faith and religion?
3. Facing trials and sufferings, do I imitate St. Agnes Thành in running to God in moments of private prayer?
2/ St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng
St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng grew up at Cù Lao Giêng, An Giang. Despite a minimal educational background he was highly intelligent. Robustly built he was also a determined man. He was a model for us in accomplishing his duties toward his family as its head through the education of his 9 children in the Catholic faith.
St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng exhibited a special zeal to the Church when he was active in the parish pastoral ministries. He was the chairman of the parish council. During the most fiery time of persecution ordered by King Tự Đức he bravely had the church, the rectory and the convent of the Daughters of Mary secretly built. Thanks to a strategical location of the parish which was on a remote island separated from the land by a wide river it was not difficult for him to organize a system of watch to alert any intrusion of the royal troops.
He also looked for priests to say Masses and administer sacraments to the people. There was a time he had 5 priests in his house. How intrepid that gentleman was!
Based on his zeal and solid knowledge of religion, he was chosen to be a catechist of the parish and the whole province of Châu Đốc. A compassion toward the poor people and a righteous conscience when dealing with social justice were his trademarks. Thus he once told the rapacious lenders not to exaggerate interests on their creditors.
It was because of those untiring activities that one day he was betrayed by two villagers who informed the authority. A military raid suddenly struck the parish and St. Emmanuel Phụng was arrested along with St. Quí, hiding in his house, and 32 other parishioners. He was 62 years old.
He was tortured for having sheltered the priests and later coaxed: "From a noble family you are promised a brilliant future. If you consent to step over the cross you will be given honorary titles." But he was consistently loyal.
It was a moving scene when he, moments before the execution, taking off the cross around his neck, gave it to a granddaughter, Anna Nhiệm, and said to her:" Grandpa cannot leave you any money or gold that is more precious than the crucifix of the Lord Jesus. Hang it around your neck and never loose it." It was certainly the most authentic inheritance that any ancestors could ever leave behind to their descendants.
St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng was hanged on July 30, 1859 under the reign of Tự Đức. His body was buried under the nave of the church of Dầu Nước, An Giang.
Lesson:
1/ What evangelical value did St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng testify to?
"Get purses for yourselves that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure with the Lord which no thief could come near nor any moth could destroy. Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be." (Lk 12:33-34)
St. Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng preoccupied himself to stocking not worldly possessions but a heavenly treasure when he fervently built the kingdom of God within his very community and later on handed down to his offsprings the real treasure which is the Lord: "Seek first the kingship of God over you, his way of holiness, and all other things will be given you besides." (Mt 6:33)
Practice:
1/ How did I commit myself to the community as to help build the kingdom of God?
2/ What concrete deeds did I perform to help other people recognize the true value of life (e.g.. Donating money to the poor, visiting the sick, being a catechist and participating to the community activities, ...)?
3/ St. Andrew Dũng Lạc
St. Andrew the Apostle, one of the first disciples of Jesus, came and saw the Lord and experienced His presence since the very first moment of their encounter. He became possessed by the Lord and chose Him as the ideal of his life.
If the Vietnamese Church had had the catechist Andrew Phú Yên as Her protomartyr then She is proud to have St. Andrew Dũng Lạc at the first place on the list of the Vietnamese Martyrs as their representative. His real name was Trần An Dũng, probably born in 1795 in Bắc Ninh from a pagan family. At 12 years of age Dũng was brought to Hà Nội for religious education that consequently led to his baptism and later on to the seminary. He was very intelligent and endowed with an extraordinary memory. After 8 years of training at the seminary Kẻ Vĩnh, he was chosen as a catechist, and 10 years later ordained a priest on May 13, 1823 at the age of 28.
Father Trần An Dũng led a shepherd’s life in a saintly and exemplary way. He was deeply loved by everybody thanks to his love for the parishioners and his pious preaching. His spiritual life was deeply rooted, which was expressed by his modest appearance, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays and charity to the poor.
In 1835, Father Dũng was arrested for the first time but was released when some parishioners paid the ransom. He had to change his name into Lạc and went into hiding.
Four years afterwards, on November 10, 1839 he was arrested again on the way to Kẻ Sen. His parishioners, once more, paid another ransom to get back their spiritual leader. Unfortunately when heading home he was nabbed again. Confessing his being a priest, he was tied up right away and bound with a yoke around his neck. Once again his parishioners insisted on paying another ransom, saying: "Father, if you die alone then alone will you go to heaven, but if you stay with us then we still be blessed with your shepherding, therefore please consider it." In reply he said to them: "This is the third time I am arrested. It’s obviously God’s will. Do not waste your money for my freedom."
The district chief had him in high esteem and wanted to save him when he said: "Master, you are a scholar and still young. If you die, is it then a waste of your life? Trust in me, close your eyes and step over the cross, or at least walk around it. If you agree to be carried over by my soldiers I will sign your release immediately."
Loudly and clearly Father Dũng exclaimed: "I shall never do it. I prefer that my body would be cut into 100 pieces."
Unable to convince him, the district chief then submitted a report to the king, stating that he had been caught in the rice fields so that no one else would be accused as accomplice of sheltering a priest. To show his gratitude Father Dũng told his family to offer some gifts to the official.
He also consoled those coming to visit him: "I am very grateful to you. Please go home and be loyal to your faith as if I were still among you. Do not lament any more."
From the prison he wrote letters to express his gratitude to the bishop and missionaries. It was from them that he had received faith and further cares. And he reassured the bishop of his loyalty as "solid as a mountain."
All through three sessions of tortures, he consistently showed a brave firmness. Therefore the mandarin had to sign his death sentence by beheading that took place at the execution field Ô Cầu Giấy on the 21st day December, 1839.
Lesson
1/ How was St. Andrew Dũng Lạc’s life a witness to the Gospel?
Like our Blessed Mother Mary, recognizing the sweetness of the loving Lord, feeling His presence amidst all life events, whether joyful or sad, free or incarcerated, St. Dũng Lạc constantly acknowledged his blessedness. He experienced divine gifts in pastoral works. He was also grateful to his flock, to the missionaries, even to the district chief who had wanted to treat him nicely. Gratitude to God, to other people and to life, it’s the key of a happy life.
Practice
1. To enjoy a happy life I need to be grateful and say thanks. Then what should I be grateful and say thanks for? (Material as well as spiritual gifts)
2. Recount a gift received in life. Share with other people wonderful works God has done to oneself and loudly say thanks to Him.
4/ St. Thomas Trần Văn Thiện
St. Thomas Trần Văn Thiện was born in 1820 from a devout family at Trung Quán, Quảng Bình, to Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Miên. His two older sisters were Yến and Sào. Later Yến would become a nun. He was cherished and supported in religious vocation by an aunt of his who was the mother superior of the convent. Since his father died when he was only 10 years old, it was Father Chính who took care of his education that would prepare him to be a future seminarian.
By that period, King Minh Mạng, harboring a deadly hatred against Catholics to the point of uprooting it, consequently has decreed a ban on Catholicism, ordering that all its adherents should step over the cross as a sign of apostasy (giving up their faith).
At 18, Thomas Thiện was summoned to enter An Ninh Seminary in Di Loan. Despite the persecution at its climax, Thiện resolutely set off with his older sister Sào to Di Loan, obeying the superior’s order and defying possible dangers. When informed by Sister Yến about the ongoing persecution at Di Loan and the going into underground operation of Father Rector Kim, he said to her:
"Although I may not see him, I must get there to be sure. He has called me, I cannot help but report."
It was the spirit of submission to the superior and dutifulness. On the way to Di Loan he was arrested, bound with a yoke and brought back to Quảng Trị.
He was told under showers of beatings and torments: "Give up your religion and be freed."
He answered: "The religion that teaches me to worship God is the real one, I cannot forsake it."
Official:" It is the royal decree. Beheading to those stubborn."
Thiện: "I prefer being beheaded to rejecting my religion."
In vain with strong measures, the official began to lure him:" If you abandon your religion I will marry you to my daughter and appoint you to government office."
Firmly Thiện replied: "I only wish to become an officer in heaven rather than an officer on this earth."
The mandarin again showed his sympathy: "You are still young and good-looking. Step over the cross according to the royal order to get freedom. Then you can go home and practice your faith in any way you like. Just give it up and we’ll see."
It was the heroism of a person who resolutely held fast to his chosen ideal, not looking for any short-lived gain by an even faking acceptance. It was also the most severe "temptation" of Thiện who would not have lost anything if he had given himself in. He would have more time than enough to restart his life!
Similar to the temptation in the desert of the Lord Jesus, Thomas Thiện had to face trials: being tempted to turn material and physical needs such as bread or marry a noble girl into the goals of life, blind to other values; being tempted to an instant success by his youthfulness; being tempted to worship idols to obtain a high social position which would provide power and ephemeral pleasures.
Yet Thiện stuck fast to his faith, defying death. He had once for all chosen his salvation as the true value of life. He knew well that only this choice would bring him happiness. He truly believed in himself as if the Lord spoke to him: "You are precious to my eyes and honorable, I love you." (Is 43:5) and " You belong to the chosen race." (1 Peter 2:9), the race of ascending dragon and fairy, flying phoenix, not of earthly poultry fed with dusty fodder. He was proud of his Vietnamese heritage which means always going head up, always reaching and flying up, and never stepping back.
Because of that attitude the official became angry and had the soldiers beat him pitilessly, then force him to sit under the summer burning sun along with Father Phan without any food nor drink! Afterwards they tortured him with white-hot pincers that burned his skin to smoke. Once they used the cold pliers that also hurt a lot. Yet Thomas did not cease to pray that God give him strength to endure and stay loyal to his faith.
Finally, he was sentenced to death by hanging on September 21, 1838 at the execution field of Nhan Biều when he was only 18 years of age.
Lesson
1. How did St. Thomas Thiện’s life testify to the Gospel?
"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it." (Mt 13:45-46); "What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself in the process?" (Mt 16:26)
St. Thomas Thiện had a clear vision about his goal and values of life. Everything is given by God as means to reach that destination and we are well ready to give it up if it becomes an obstacle. That the basic principle of life. The firmness in his choice of ideal has enabled St. Thomas Thiện to rise up like a phoenix.
Practice
1. What concrete practice do I resolve to make in my life regarding choice between various "temptations" and the decisive call of Catholic faith? Please list them one by one.
2. Which attitude of St. Thomas Thiện demonstrated that, no matter how difficult the situation turned out to be, he still was able to practice the virtue of obedience and fulfill his duties? What circumstance in my life actually requires such attitude?
5/ St. Augustine Phạm Viết Huy
St. Augustine Phạm Viết Huy was born in 1794 at Hà Linh, Nam Định. He was a real Augustine of Vietnam. Coming from a devout Catholic family and being a seminarian at an early age due to his studiousness and intelligence, he had a very rich knowledge of religion.
But Huy gave up his vocation and enlisted himself in the military career. During 10 years of service, he was infected with numerous vices and lived a loose life, even induced himself in adultery with a concubine in the city.
At that time, King Minh Mạng ordered the governor of Nam Định, Trịnh Quang Khanh, to thoroughly arrest all priests and exhaustedly screen all Catholic soldiers. It was the climax of his cruelty when he imprisoned 500 Catholic military men and threatened them with all kinds of torments to make them give up their faith by stepping over the cross as a condition to be reenlisted.
Most of those Catholic men have either paid a bribe or pretended to walk over the cross just to avoid any further complications except 15 persons. But after a wave of tortures only 9 persevered. Unbelievably, the most courageous one was Augustine Huy.
Despite 2 consecutive professions of faith, he still regarded himself as unworthy. Therefore by night he bribed the guards to let him go home and receive the sacrament of penance from Father Thiều and settle his family affairs by signing a paper to abandon the concubine. Then he returned to the prison, well prepared for the third profession of faith.
This time, the prisoners were beaten on their fingertips, not to mention many other atrocities that left them half-dead and terribly suffering. Only three men persisted after 5 times of tortures, Huy, Đạt and Thể. Their heads shaven, hands and feet tied fast, a yoke around the neck, they were exposed to the burning sun, unable to chase away the flies sucking the wounds.
Many onlookers as well as the official tried to dissuade them from their faith in exchange for a promotion, but they loudly declared: "You order us to abandon the religion of the Lord, then what religion will we embrace? Of other religions none is true."
In prison, they prayed in common, and fast four days a week. Mr. Huy discussed with the authority about catechism, sacraments and Ten Commandments in so dignified a manner that the official showed him great respect.
One day the official intended to verbally attack his private life so that he would be ashamed and abandon his faith: "If ever you had a devout life then I would understand your willingness to die for your religion. But actually you show yourself sinful of bigamy and living as a pagan, yet you are stubborn in keeping your faith, that’s really crazy on your part."
Mr. Huy humbly answered:" I admit that I had set a bad example, giving myself to carnal desires, unworthy to be called a Catholic. But the merciful Lord, in His love, has given me the gift of repentance and already forgiven me. Thus I am well prepared to abandon everything, even my life, to preserve my faith."
Next they were tortured during 21 consecutive days, and had to face a cruel maneuver that made all his extended family and other villagers brought in to dissuade them away from their faith, otherwise all of those people would die along with them.
During that month, their relatives were tormented. Finally moved with pity, the three had too declare their abnegation to save them. They were given each 10 silver pieces and released.
But at home, they regretted what they had done by the fact that during those 8 long months they were standing firm despite all kinds of tortures, yet now they have failed! Bitterly torn by conscience, they went to confession, and together headed back to the city to retract their abnegation which, they said, had been done under psychological pressure and then returned the money to the authority. They did not accepted it and dismissed them away instead.
They then decided to go to Huế, the royal capital, with the intention of professing their faith to the king himself. Mr. Đạt could not go because of his public duties but agreed to be represented by his two comrades, Huy and Thể. It took them 20 days to reach Huế, but the official did not want to see them. They had to wait for a royal excursion. They then knelt down by the walkside to submit their appeal and publicly profess their faith.
After a long time of all kinds of tortures combined with sweet persuasions but in vain, the King ordered to sentence them to death.
On May 2, 1839, Sts. Huy and Thể were brought to the seaport of Thuận Hóa. The executioner cut their bodies in two with an ax, then chopped their heads in four. The bodies were thrown in the ocean. As for St. Đạt, he was hanged in Nam Định.
Lesson
1. St. Phạm Viết Huy has testified to the Word of God:
"At the appointed time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for us godless men. It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just man, though it is barely possible that for a good man someone may have the courage to die. It is precisely in this that God proves his love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rm 5:6-8).
St. Phạm Viết Huy recognized that his sinfulness was the cause of all his sufferings and loss of peace. He sincerely repented and was granted pardon from the Lord. The Lord had died to save him. Therefore he dared accept death to show that he had felt the Lord’ love.
Practice
2. After times of failing because of sins, am I determined to raise up and reconcile myself with God?
2. Do I desert my friends whenever they encounter any difficulty in life?
6/ St. Andrew Trần Văn Trông
St. Andrew Trần Văn Trông grew up in a devout family of Thợ Đúc Parish, Huế, son of the Mr. Thaddeus Trần Văn Hòan and Mrs. Gia who was a weaver. It was his faith-filled mother who taught him weaving. After his father’s death, when he was only 19 years old, his mother considered to get him a wife, but he turned this offer down. A year later, he enlisted himself in the royal weavers’ platoon.
When the French ships attacked Đà Nẵng, King Minh Mạng suspected that the Catholics could have had some relationship with the enemies. Therefore he ordered a census on Catholic soldiers. In November 1834, only 9 months in the military career, Trông was arrested along with 7 comrades. The officials had already set up a furnace and pinching tools in the front yard to scare them. But after many sessions of tortures, Trông stayed unchangeable: "If you have pity on me then I am lucky, I will do whatever you want, but never will I step over the cross to reject my faith." The official furiously shouted:" How intrepid that boy is! All adults abide by the royal law and he does not! Why don’t you behead him right now?"
Afterwards Trông was confined in the Citadel Prison. During the whole year, every day his mother went to visit him, with the sole intention of encouraging her son to stay loyal to the Lord. That moving maternal love became a bait that the officials used to lure him into denying his faith, when they told him that he would sin against filial devotion if ever he dies and leaves his mother unattended. Later on he calmly recounted it:" They kept telling that I am sinning against loyalty both toward the king and my mother, and questioning me on the whereabouts of the paradise. I replied to them that they should mind their own business and I knew well what loyalty means to me."
In prison Trông was always joyful and amiable. He unceaselessly tried to lift up the spirit of other inmates and helped them pray the rosary very day and even shared his ration with those who were underfed. Witnessing such goodness, the guards had him in great sympathy by allowing him to go out by night for his own affairs. Twice he was able to go to confession, to receive communion and to see his mother in Kim Long Village.
Before the execution day, he told his cousin who visited him: "Stay with my mother to finish your apprenticeship and thus assist her. Please tell her that I am greatly blessed as to die because of the Lord and that she peacefully take care of herself, physically as well as religiously. As for me, everything has been accomplished, nothing can disturb me any more."
The death sentence arrived on November 28, 1835 and he was brought to the execution field. It was a rainy and windy day. His face was joyful, a rosary in his hands, walking side by side with the executioner. On hearing the news, his mother ran to the An Hòa Market near the Citadel to see her son for the last time. She even asked him whether he still owed anything to anybody so that she could pay them back. Mother and son then exchanged final farewell.
Upon arriving at the site the soldiers took off his yoke and chains. He asked the soldiers to give his mother the chains. She was standing nearby in order to encourage him during the last moment of his life and to witness his martyrdom. Drum beats resounded, the head of the 20-years-old saint dropped on the ground. Without delay the courageous mother paid an amount in exchange of her son’s head. Then kneeling down, she covered it with the lower part of her blouse and ran toward the river where a boat took her back home in Thợ Đúc. She also spent some money to recover her son’s body and had it laid in her house. That very night, she sent the people up the mountain to invite a hiding priest for the funeral mass. She asked the priest to wear red vestments because : "today is the day of joy for the whole family," the triumphant day of a martyr.
In the papal decree of Beatification, Pope Leo XIII specially praised the martyrdom of the young Blessed:
"Among the Vietnamese Martyrs there is Andrew Trông who is famous because not only of his courage but also of the mother’s heroism, since she imitated our Blessed Mother in sharing sufferings with her son, standing near him, witnessing his death, and after the decapitation, embracing her son’s head in her bosom."
Lesson
1. What Gospel value did St. Trần Văn Trông testify to?
While he was saying this a woman from the crowd called out: "Blest is the womb that bore you and the breast that nursed you!"
"Rather, the Lord replied, blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." (Lk 11,27-28)
Andrew Trông grew up to maturity thanks to a mother who nurtured her son with love and piety. In return Trông showed a loving attachment to his mother. That mutual affection strengthened Trông’s understanding of the word "filial piety". It’s because of the latter bond and the love reserved to his mother that Trông remained solidly loyal to the Catholic faith, which she had always dreamed of and encouraged her son to fulfill.
The example of courage of a mother standing beside her son soon to be killed is deeply moving. Is there any mother in the world that does not love the son whom she herself has given birth to and nurtured? But this mother has done more by consenting to offer her son on the altar of the cross, knowing that "rather blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it."
Practice
1. What detail shows that the young Saint deeply loved his mother? Why did St. Trông not give up his faith and go home to care for his mother as to fulfill his filial duty?
1. What faith-related deed do I resolve to perform to please my mother, knowing that from her loving heart she has always wanted me to do so?
Translated by Rev. Vinh Quang Nguyen