BIOGRAPHY
This present-day monument includes 96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish missionaries from the Order of St. Dominica who worked in Vietnam and 10 members of the French Missionary Society from Paris. There are 8 bishops, 50 priests and 59 lay people canonized on the 19th. 6.1988 by Pope John Paul II.
The Gospel began to be preached in the territory of today’s Vietnam from the middle of the 16th century. Dominicans and Franciscans, missionaries from Portugal and Spain, were responsible for this. In the following century, two vicariates were established, in which the Spanish and French worked.
From the very beginning for three centuries, the Church in this country experienced persecution with short breaks. Very many suffering persecution for the faith died in the mountains and forests or unhealthy regions where they were condemned. The Church reminds that they fall within the framework of the group of martyrs mentioned after the name of Andrew Dung Lac.
As the child of poor pagan parents, he was put in the care of one catechist and became a priest in 1823. He worked in various places of the country, was imprisoned several times and released on bail, for which the faithful took up bail. Although he himself would have preferred martyrdom earlier, he was aware of his mission. Despite the difficulties he experienced, he was tireless in his preaching and encouraged the believers for whom he was a role model by word and example. He lived simply, for three days fasted every week and brought many people to God. For faithfulness and zeal in evangelization, he was beheaded in Hanoi on December 21, 1839.
Among the 59 canonized laity are 16 catechists, four doctors, three soldiers, a judge and a mother of six children.
The Pope said during their canonization: “The martyrs of Vietnam sat in tears, but in reality they began a deeply achieving dialogue with the people and culture of this nation, proclaiming the truth and universality of faith in God. In doing so, they represented a hierarchy of values and duties adapted to the religious culture of the Eastern world… they emphasized religious freedom and…that the Christian religion is the only value that they do not give up because they cannot to the Supreme Lord – God, being disobedient.”
STORIES FROM THE PERSECUTION IN VIETNAM
with an overview of canonized martyrs
He is listed at their head Andrew, who was born in 1795 in Bac Ninh, Vietnam to a poor pagan family. Later he came into the care of one catechist and at St. baptism he received the name Andrew. Soon after, he began his studies at a seminary in Ke Vinh in Yên TiHuwann near After eight years, he began his missionary preaching activities. After graduating in theology, he was 15. Ordained priest on 3rd 1823. He became a tireless missionary, excelling in perseverance and communication skills. Its first parish was Banana, another Đoài (today’s Shanxi ) and then Son Mieng (today’s Ha Dong ). In 1832, he was appointed parish priest at Ke Dam (today’s Henan). In the next year, a rebellion broke out in Le Van Khoi, and religious Catholics led by clergy were wrongly identified as its masterminds. It was the whim of Emperor Minh Mang, who then edited from 6. On 1 January 1833, he ordered all Christians to renounce their faith. As a sign that they were renouncing her, they should have stepped on the cross. Although he himself would have preferred martyrdom, he was aware of his mission. Despite the difficulties experienced, he was tireless in his preaching and encouraged the faithful for whom he was a role model by word and example. He lived simply, for three days (po, st, pá) fasted every week and brought many people to God.
In 1835, Fr. Andrew arrested in Ke Roi together with 30 laymen who came to the service, but since those who detained him did not know that he was a priest, he managed to arrange his redemption. Subsequently, in order to conceal his identity, he changed his surname to Lac and left to continue his missionary activities in another area.
After another stint, he was among the detainees 2 more times, but 10. On 11 1839, he was captured for the last time on his way home. He was tortured in prison and finally on the 21st. 12.1839 in O Cau Giay, Hanoi beheaded.
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