Canonized in 1988, André Dung Lac and his 116 companions were martyred in Vietnam between 1745 and 1862 in a context of persecution under imperial reigns, notably that of Tu-Duc.
Face trials with faith by following the example of the Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, including André Dung Lac. These Vietnamese Catholics of the 17th-19th centuries lived in pain and persecution because of their devotion to Christ, becoming a symbol of heroic witness that remains inspiring today, reminding us of the importance of total self-giving to God and the community.
Biography
Called to testify
André Dung Lac was born in 1795 into a poor family in Vietnam. Baptized at a young age, he became a catechist, then was ordained a priest in 1823. At that time, the Kingdom of Vietnam was under the rule of emperors hostile to the Christianity, who see this faith as a political and cultural threat. André carries out his ministry with zeal despite the rise in persecution, preaching in various parishes.
Under Minh Mang's rule, the persecution of Catholics intensified: arrests, torture, and executions severely impacted the Christian community. Arrested in 1835, Andrew was briefly released thanks to his followers, but resumed his activities in secret, even changing his name to evade his persecutors. He was eventually captured again, tortured, and beheaded in Hanoi on December 21, 1839, at the age of 44.
Along with André Dung Lac, 116 other Vietnamese martyrs, including priests, laypeople, bishops, and catechists, suffered various forms of torture between 1745 and 1862, notably beheading, strangulation, burning, and dismemberment. They preferred to suffer rather than renounce the Christian faith.
Their canonization in 1988 by John Paul II honors this courage and their role in establishing the Church in Vietnam, becoming models of fidelity in the faith.
Testifying in the shadows
The established facts show that André Dung Lac was arrested several times, aided and then betrayed until his martyrdom. A popular legend claims that he continued to secretly celebrate Mass in small villages despite the risks, embodying the hidden light of faith.
This devotion symbolizes the perseverance of Vietnamese Christians in the face of repression. Their blood is often called the "seed of faith" in Vietnam, highlighting how their sacrifice allowed Christian belief to flourish in a country where it was fiercely suppressed.
Spiritual message
Grow loyalty
Like the Vietnamese martyrs, nurture a deep attachment to the divine word, even in the face of hardship. Their testimony teaches us the value of loyalty without compromise to the Gospel, the source of supernatural hope.
Imagine a young shepherd keeping watch at night in the cold, guarding his flock: this is how the faithful Christian keeps watch, ready to protect the faith despite adversity.
Prayer
Lord, grant us the grace of a steadfast faith like that of the martyrs of Vietnam. Give us strength in suffering, courage in trials, and faithfulness in serving your Word. May their example enlighten our lives and sustain us each day. Amen.
To live
- Meditate for a moment in silence on the gift of loyalty in your life.
- Commit to providing concrete service to a person in need.
- Read and reread a passage from the Gospel that speaks of courage in faith (for example, Matthew 10:28-31).
Memory
Vietnamese martyrs are commemorated on November 24. Their memory lives on at the shrine of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi and in Vietnamese temples and chapels worldwide. Commemorative plaques and works of art honor their sacrifice. This celebration also recalls the painful history of Christians in Tonkin, Annam, and Cochinchina.
Liturgy
- Readings/psalm: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (faithfulness to Christ despite trials); Psalm 22 (trust in God in distress).
- Song/Hymn: "O Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, witnesses of Christ until death.".
