Scripture Readings

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Reflection on Today’s Feast

By John Wronski, SJ

During my years of service at Nativity Prep in Boston, I grew close to a number of Vietnamese families who inspired me with their deep Catholic faith, warm friendship, and generous hospitality.  Through them I have come to know and honor the spirit of countless Vietnamese Catholics who have endured persecution and martyrdom since the 16th century. 

Portuguese Jesuit priests first arrived in Vietnam in 1533.  Among those they served were Japanese Catholics who had been forced to leave their land because of persecutions. When a law was passed in Vietnam that made it illegal to belong to the Christian Church, the Jesuits and other missionaries had to minister in secret until 1615, when they were finally allowed to build a permanent mission in Da Nang.

Andrew Dung-Lac was born in Vietnam in 1795. He grew up Catholic and became a priest at a time when the Church was welcome in his country. But in the 19th century, persecution of Christians began again. Foreign missionaries like the Jesuits were driven out of the kingdom by Emperor Minh-Mang. People who were suspected of being Catholic were forced to deny their faith by trampling on a crucifix. If they did not obey, they were arrested and often put to death.

Andrew Dung-Lac was arrested several times.  He and another priest, Peter Thi, were treated brutally by their guards and were executed in 1839. Between 1820 and 1862, 117 Catholics died as martyrs. Among them were a bishop, priests, men, women and children. All were canonized during the papacy of Saint John Paul II. Today Vietnam has the fifth largest Catholic population in Asia, after the Philippines, India, China, and Indonesia. There are currently about 7 million Catholics in Vietnam, representing 7.0% of the total population, all the fruit of the martyrs’ blood.

Fr. John Wronski, SJ, currently serves as the provincial delegate for formation and the provincial delegate for reconciliation with descendants for the USA East Jesuit Province.