November 24, 2021
Andrew Dung Lac was born in Vietnam in 1785. Wanting to serve the Church and his nation by ministering to the Vietnamese folks, he turned a Catholic priest after which a missionary for the promulgation of the religion. He was beheaded on December 21, 1839 in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the offense of being a priest.
Within the generations that preceded Andrew’s missionary work, Christianity didn’t unfold peacefully all through Vietnam. The primary Portuguese missionary arrived in 1533. Many extra adopted, together with the Dominican and Jesuit orders, however they have been met with violent resistance by the hands of varied political regimes. Waves of terror and torture have been inflicted on all those that dared to hold the religion to the folks of Vietnam, and 1000’s of Catholics and different Christians have been murdered for his or her zeal in Vietnam from the center of the sixteenth century by way of the twentieth century. Clergymen, non secular and 1000’s of international missionaries and lay Vietnamese trustworthy have been killed by hideous acts of torture and abuse. There isn’t a approach to precisely rely precisely what number of martyrs died by the hands of non secular persecutors.
In 1988, Pope John Paul II acknowledged Andrew Dung Lac and over 100 others as saints by canonizing them in St. Peter’s Sq.. He publicly named 96 Vietnamese, 11 Spaniards, and 10 French martyrs. They’re collectively generally known as the Martyrs of Vietnam (or Tonkin or Annam, the older names of that nation). These women and men are named in honor of their very own deaths, but additionally to commemorate the 1000’s of different martyrs who can by no means be recognized, however who nonetheless share the stain of blood supplied for the lifetime of the Church.
Of their canonization Mass, Pope John Paul II addressed the folks of Vietnam saying, “As soon as once more, we are able to say that the blood of the martyrs is for you, Christians of Vietnam, a well-spring of grace to make progress within the religion. In you, the religion of our fathers continues and is carried on to new generations. This religion stays the muse of the perseverance of all those that, contemplating themselves authentically Vietnamese, trustworthy to their land, additionally wish to proceed to be true disciples of Christ.”
Classes
1. Andrew and his companions got many indicators that they may very well be martyred, but nonetheless they remained and continued with their mission to evangelise the Religion. Would we’ve stayed, or would we’ve tried to avoid wasting our lives? Allow us to pray for the grace to stay for Christ alone in order that, laying down our lives for him, we could discover the true and eternal life.
2. Andrew and the opposite Vietnamese martyrs have been betrayed by a lot of their countrymen beneath the disguise of requested help. In lots of instances, the long run martyrs knew they have been to be betrayed however didn’t refuse to assist. How usually have we refused to assist somebody or to forgive somebody as a result of we have been sure of ulterior motives? However Christ desires us to be ready to forgive all the time — not simply seven instances seven instances, however seventy instances seven instances. It isn’t for us to guage others’ motives however to be all the time prepared to supply forgiveness and love.
From Johnnette Benkovic’s Sleek Dwelling: Meditations to Assist You Develop Nearer to God Day by Day
Within the midst of those torments, which often terrify others, I’m, by the grace of God, filled with pleasure and gladness, as a result of I’m not alone — Christ is with me.
— From a letter of St. Paul Le-Bao-Tinh considering his impending martyrdom
Johnnette’s Meditation
Hidden within the phrases of this passage is the good reality of the grace of martyrdom. How does this quell any fears that I might need in my life? Have I skilled the same grace when I’ve been beneath fireplace for the Religion? How does this enhance my confidence in God?
Different Saints We Keep in mind At present
St. John of the Cross (1591), Priest, Physician
St. Chrysogonus (4th Century), Martyr
Sts. Flora & Mary (851), Virgins, Martyrs
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picture: Saint Paul Catholic Church (Westerville, Ohio) / Nheyob / Wikimedia Commons