Blood That Outlives Empires

Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc and the Martyrs of Vietnam stand as a radiant testament to the power of the Gospel in a land marked by intense persecution. Between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, hundreds of thousands of Catholics in Vietnam suffered and died for refusing to renounce Christ. The Church honors 117 of these holy witnesses under the collective name Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc and Companions. They represent bishops, priests, religious, catechists, parents, children, and lay leaders whose faith endured every form of torture.

When canonizing them in 1988, Saint John Paul II said that their tears and their blood became a “harvest of the Lord”, revealing the extraordinary vitality of the Vietnamese Church. Their witness proves that no emperor, ideology, or regime can silence the truth of Christ crucified and risen.

From Poverty to Priesthood

Andrew Dŭng-Lạc was born Trần An Dũng around 1795 in the Bac Ninh region of northern Vietnam. His family was very poor and practiced the traditional religion of their ancestors. When he was twelve, his family moved to Hanoi in search of work. There, young An Dũng encountered a Catholic catechist who took him in, fed him, clothed him, and introduced him to the Christian faith.

An Dũng learned catechism, Chinese characters, and Latin. He eventually asked for Baptism and received the name Andrew. His conversion transformed him entirely. He became a catechist for years and then studied theology. In 1823, he was ordained a priest.

Father Andrew became well known for his holiness, simplicity, humility, and clarity in teaching the Catholic faith. His parishioners loved him deeply because he lived among them as a true spiritual father.

Quiet Miracles in a Hidden Ministry

Andrew Dŭng-Lạc was not recorded as performing dramatic miracles, but there is something profoundly miraculous about the quiet heroism of his priestly life. He tirelessly preached the Gospel, prepared converts for Baptism, and risked arrest to bring the sacraments to his people.

His first arrest in 1835 shook the entire community. They gathered their meager resources to ransom him, choosing poverty rather than abandoning their priest. That kind of charity is itself a miracle of grace.

To avoid further persecution, Andrew changed his surname to Lạc and relocated, but he continued ministering quietly and courageously. His holiness was hidden, yet his impact was deep.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “all Christians by the example of their lives and the witness of their word, wherever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which they have put on in Baptism.” CCC 2472. Father Andrew lived this entirely.

Tried Like Gold in the Furnace

Vietnam during the nineteenth century was a hostile land for Christians. Rulers such as Minh Mạng and Tự Đức issued brutal edicts against Catholics, destroying churches, banning missionaries, and forcing believers to trample on crucifixes to prove they rejected Christ.

Father Andrew had already been imprisoned once. After his release, authorities watched him closely. When he went to visit another priest, Father Peter Thi, for Confession, both were arrested and tortured. Even after being ransomed, they were captured again almost immediately.

They were taken in chains to Hanoi where they endured repeated beatings and pressure to renounce Christ. They refused.

On December 21, 1839, Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc and Saint Peter Thi were beheaded for their faith. Their death became one of the defining acts of witness in the long history of Vietnamese martyrdom.

The Catechism teaches that “martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith. It means bearing witness even unto death.” CCC 2473. Their final breath proclaimed Christ as King.

Seeds in the Soil of Vietnam

As part of their canonization process, the Church recognized miracles worked through the intercession of the Vietnamese martyrs, particularly healings that defied medical explanation.

But perhaps the greatest miracle is the Vietnamese Church itself. Despite centuries of violent oppression, the faith not only survived but flourished. Across Vietnam and throughout the global Vietnamese diaspora, devotion to these martyrs remains powerful and vibrant.

Saint John Paul II reminded the world that the martyrs’ blood became a “source of grace to progress in the faith.” Their example continues to strengthen the Church in Vietnam and far beyond.

The Catechism teaches that “the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened” through devotion to the saints. CCC 957. This truth comes alive in every shrine, every relic, and every prayer whispered through the intercession of these courageous martyrs.

Living Their Legacy

The life of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc speaks powerfully to anyone trying to live out their Catholic faith in a world that often misunderstands it. The Vietnamese martyrs teach that loyalty to Christ and loyalty to one’s homeland can coexist beautifully. They show that the sacraments are treasures worth suffering for. Andrew was on his way to Confession when arrested because he knew he needed the grace of God to stay faithful.

Their courage invites everyone to examine their own lives. Integrity at work, keeping Sunday holy, praying publicly without embarrassment, and supporting persecuted Christians are everyday acts of bravery that echo the martyrs’ witness.

Above all, they remind believers to fix their eyes on Jesus. Their courage only makes sense through the light of the Crucified and Risen Lord.

Engage with Us!

You are invited to share your thoughts, personal reflections, or prayer intentions in the comments below. The story of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc and his companions belongs to the whole Church, and your reflections enrich this community of faith.

1. Where do you feel the most pressure to hide your Catholic faith, and how might the courage of the Vietnamese martyrs guide you?
2. When was the last time you approached Confession with the same seriousness shown by Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc?
3. What is one concrete way you can show loyalty to Christ while loving your country faithfully?
4. How can you support persecuted Christians today through prayer, sacrifice, or practical help?
5. If someone observed your daily life closely, would they see signs of your Catholic faith or would you blend completely into the culture around you?

May Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc and the Martyrs of Vietnam pray for the Church today. May their bravery inspire all of us to live our faith with courage, humility, and unwavering love. May God give everyone the grace to live a life rooted in faith and guided by the mercy of Jesus in the Gospels.

Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc, pray for us! 

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