St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions

ST. AANDRUN DUNG AND COMPANIONS

St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his 116 companions were martyred in Vietnam for their Christian faith. They represent thousands of Vietnamese who suffered persecution during the 17th to 19th centuries.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac, born in 1795 in Vietnam, is one of the most prominent figures among the Vietnamese Martyrs, a group of 118 individuals who were persecuted and killed for their Christian faith from the 17th to 19th centuries in Vietnam. He was originally named Trần An Dũng, a poor but devout child who converted to Christianity and took the Christian name Andrew upon baptism. He was later ordained a priest and served tirelessly, preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments even under threat of death.

During the 19th century, Vietnam was under the rule of emperors who viewed Christianity as a threat to traditional Confucian values and national unity. This led to widespread persecution, including arrests, torture, and executions of missionaries, priests, and laypeople alike. Dung-Lac was arrested multiple times for his ministry. On one occasion, he was released due to the intervention and financial support of his parishioners, but he continued to preach, undeterred by the danger.

In 1839, he was arrested again along with a fellow priest, Peter Thi. After refusing to renounce their faith and enduring severe torture, both were beheaded in Hanoi on December 21, 1839. Their deaths were part of a broader wave of Christian persecution that claimed thousands of lives in Vietnam.

The group known as the Vietnamese Martyrs includes both foreigners and Vietnamese. Among the 118 officially canonized are 96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish, and 10 French missionaries. They were beatified in groups over the years, and finally canonized together by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988. The canonization recognized their collective courage, faith, and sacrifice, and it united the Church in honoring their memory.

The feast of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions is celebrated on November 24. It is a solemn day that commemorates not only Andrew and the 117 others officially recognized, but also the estimated 130,000 to 300,000 Christians who were martyred in Vietnam over the centuries. Their witness stands as a powerful testament to the strength of faith under persecution.

This group’s canonization also emphasized the importance of religious freedom and respect for human dignity. Today, they are venerated not only in Vietnam but around the world, especially among communities of Vietnamese Catholics who regard them as patron saints and sources of inspiration in their spiritual journey.

Feast Day

24-11-

Birth Date

--1795

Died Date

21-12-1839

Canonised Date

19-6-1988

Hanoi, Vietnam

Prayer to St. Aandrun Dung and Companions Lord, Strengthen our faith as St. Andron Dung and his companions showed through their courage. Help us to remain faithful in all things. Amen.
ST. AANDRUN DUNG AND COMPANIONS

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ST. AANDRUN DUNG AND COMPANIONS

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Credits & Acknowledgments

Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D.
Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe
US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
Wikipedia – General reference content and images
Anastpaul.com – Saint images and reflections
Pravachaka Sabdam (Malayalam) – Saint-related content and insights

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