Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his Companions, Martyrs

Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his 116 Companions represent one of the most remarkable and harrowing periods of Christian witness in history, enduring intense persecution in Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This vast assembly of martyrs, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988, comprises bishops, priests—both European missionaries and native Vietnamese—catechists, seminarians, and a multitude of lay men and women, including government officials, soldiers, and ordinary villagers. Their collective sacrifice, spread across more than two centuries of intermittent but often brutal suppression, stands as a profound testament to unwavering faith and courage in the face of extreme adversity, laying the very foundations of the Church in Vietnam with their blood. The sheer diversity in their backgrounds and the unity in their suffering underscore the universal call to discipleship and the profound cost of following Christ.

The seeds of Christianity were first sown in Vietnam in the early 17th century, largely through the tireless efforts of missionaries from various religious orders, notably the Jesuits. Among the most influential was Father Alexandre de Rhodes, who arrived in 1627 and played a pivotal role in establishing a vibrant Christian community and developing the Vietnamese romanized script, Quốc ngữ. The initial growth of the Church was rapid, attracting converts from all social strata due to the missionaries' dedication, charitable works, and the compelling message of the Gospel. However, this burgeoning foreign influence and the perceived challenge to traditional Confucian social structures and ancestral veneration soon aroused suspicion and hostility from the imperial court. This growing apprehension set the stage for a prolonged era of state-sponsored persecution, marking the beginning of a dark chapter for Vietnamese Christians.

Over the next two centuries, various emperors issued increasingly severe edicts aimed at eradicating Christianity from their lands. Emperor Minh Mạng (reigned 1820–1841) initiated one of the most intense waves of persecution, driven by a deep distrust of Western powers and a desire to consolidate his authority by suppressing any perceived foreign elements. His successors, Emperor Thiệu Trị (reigned 1841–1847) and Emperor Tự Đức (reigned 1847–1883), continued and even intensified these policies, fearing that Christianity was a precursor to colonial invasion. These edicts often mandated the destruction of churches, the defection of converts, and the imprisonment or execution of those who refused to renounce their faith. The persecution was often systematic, involving torture, public denunciations, and severe penalties for anyone harboring or assisting Christians.

The martyrs themselves came from all walks of life, demonstrating that faith transcended social boundaries. Among them were nine bishops, including Saint Pierre Borie, Saint Jerónimo Hermosilla, and Saint Valentin Berriochoa, who were European Dominicans and members of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. They were joined by 50 Vietnamese priests, many of whom, like Saint Paul Lê Bảo Tịnh, had endured long periods of imprisonment and torture before their execution. The largest group, however, consisted of 58 lay faithful, including catechists who risked their lives to teach and minister, soldiers who refused to trample on a cross, and ordinary men and women who simply would not deny their Lord. Their methods of execution were varied and brutal, including beheading, strangulation, dismemberment, burning alive, and starvation, yet their steadfastness remained an inspiring testament to their profound conviction.

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, after whom the group is named, serves as a representative figure for these countless martyrs. Born Trần An Dũng around 1795, he was converted to Christianity at a young age, taking the name Andrew. He served as a catechist before being ordained a priest in 1823. Throughout the periods of intense persecution, Andrew Dũng-Lạc frequently changed his residence and even his name, once adopting "Lạc" to avoid capture. Despite these precautions, he was arrested multiple times. On one occasion, he was ransomed by his parishioners, but his dedication to his flock meant he continued his ministry, inevitably leading to his re-arrest. He was ultimately beheaded in Hanoi on December 21, 1839, alongside Saint Peter Thi, a fellow priest. His journey from a humble convert to a zealous priest and finally a martyr encapsulates the unwavering commitment shared by all his companions.

The canonization of these 117 martyrs by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988, was a momentous occasion, not only for the Vietnamese Church but for the universal Church. It was the largest group canonized at one time up to that point, bringing to light a powerful witness of faith that had long been honored locally. Their feast day on November 24 serves as a global reminder of their sacrifice and a call to emulate their courage. The Vietnamese Martyrs demonstrate that faith can flourish even amidst the most severe persecution, and their unwavering fidelity continues to inspire believers worldwide to stand firm in their convictions, reminding us that the blood of martyrs is indeed the seed of the Church, yielding abundant fruit for generations to come.

The air in Vietnam, in the early 19th century, was often thick not just with humidity but with the heavy scent of fear for those who followed Christ. Imperial edicts against the followers of the Way grew ever harsher, threatening torture and death for anyone who dared to confess the forbidden faith. Yet, amidst this terror, there stood a shepherd named Andrew Dũng-Lạc, a priest whose heart burned with an unquenchable love for his flock.

Andrew was no stranger to the persecutor's grasp. Time and again, the imperial soldiers, spurred by the emperor's decrees, would descend upon Christian villages. Andrew, known for his fervent preaching and tireless ministry, was a prime target. He would often have to move from place to place, sometimes even changing his name to evade capture, once adopting "Lạc" to signify his hiding. But even these precautions could not always shield him.

One such time, he was seized. The news spread like wildfire among his parishioners, a wave of despair washing over them. They knew the fate that awaited arrested priests: brutal torture, the demand to apostatize by trampling a crucifix, and ultimately, a gruesome death. But Andrew’s flock loved him deeply, and their faith, nurtured by his tireless efforts, was strong. Without hesitation, they pooled their meager resources, selling what little they had, sacrificing their own needs to gather the hefty ransom demanded by the corrupt officials.

With the money collected, they secured his release. Andrew returned to them, weary but unbroken, his spirit soaring with gratitude for their sacrifice. His first instinct was not to flee to a safer land, nor to seek permanent refuge. No, his first impulse was to resume his sacred duties, to offer the Holy Sacrifice, to baptize, to teach, and to comfort. He knew the danger was ever-present, that his freedom was but a temporary reprieve. Yet, the spiritual hunger of his people was more compelling than any earthly threat.

He continued his ministry with renewed zeal, tending to the spiritual needs of his beloved community, knowing full well that each sermon, each sacrament, each visit to the sick brought him closer to his inevitable martyrdom. And indeed, he was arrested again, this time alongside another priest, Saint Peter Thi. There would be no more ransoms, no more escapes. This final arrest led him to the ultimate witness. On December 21, 1839, in the city of Hanoi, Andrew Dũng-Lạc, the shepherd who never fled his flock, offered his life for the Christ he so faithfully served, a testament to the enduring love between a pastor and his people, forged in the crucible of persecution. His unwavering commitment, mirrored by the fidelity of his companions, became the bedrock upon which the Vietnamese Church was built.