Saint Ane Le Thi Thanh (1781-1841) - Vietnamese Martyr Saints

Ane Le Thi Thanh (Mother De), a married woman, was born in 1781 in Bai Dien, Thanh Hoa. She died in prison on July 12, 1841 in Nam Dinh. She was born into a Catholic family and was the mother of six children. She was arrested while carrying letters to imprisoned missionaries. In 1909, she was canonized as a Saint. Her feast day is July 12.

The first female saint of Vietnam

Looking back at the history of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, there are many women who sacrificed their lives to witness their faith. However, the indomitable spirit of Saint Ane Le Thi Thanh is an exceptional example.

Even the notorious provincial governor Trinh Quang Khanh, known as the "Gray Tiger of Nam Dinh province", was powerless in persuading her to renounce her faith. He applied many brutal torture methods, from sweet talking to beatings, shackles, chains, but could not shake the steadfast faith of Saint Ane.

The drops of blood shed from the whip lashes turned into roses forming a martyr's crown. God rewarded Saint Ane Le Thi Thanh, the first female saint of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, with the ultimate reward of heavenly glory.

The mother is a shining example

Ane Le Thi Thanh was born around 1781 in Bai Dien village, Yen Dinh district, Thanh Hoa province. From a young age, she followed her mother to her maternal home in Phuc Nhac, a large parish now under the Phat Diem diocese, Ninh Binh province. At age 17, she married Mr. Nguyen Van Nhat, a man from the same village, and they lived together very happily and harmoniously. She gave birth to two sons named De and Tran, and four daughters named Thu, Nam, Nhien, Nu. According to local custom, parents were often called by their firstborn child's name, so she was called Mother De. She and her husband were gentle, virtuous people who cared deeply about educating their children.

Her youngest daughter, Lucia Nu, testified during the canonization investigation:

"Our mother took great care in educating us. She personally taught us how to read and learn the catechism, then how to attend Mass and go to confession and receive communion. She did not allow us to be lazy about confessing. When we were negligent, she urged us until we did. She had us join the Confraternity of Mary and the young women's rosary group at church."

Another daughter of hers, Anna Nam, also confirmed: "Our parents only married their daughters to virtuous young men. After I got married, my mother often visited us and advised good things. Once she taught me: Obeying God's will in marriage is a very heavy burden. You must live prudently, do not argue with your husband's parents. Be willing to accept the Cross that God sends you. She also gently advised my husband and I: "You two must live in harmony and joy, never let anyone hear you argue."

Mrs. Ane De was a virtuous Catholic woman, a shining example of piety for everyone, especially mothers.

From compassion and self-sacrifice for others to sacrificing one's life for faith and ideals

Mr. and Mrs. De were compassionate people, always ready to help others, especially priests during the persecution. They dedicated a section of their home for priests to hide. It was this charity that led to Mrs. De being arrested and martyred.

In March 1841, four priests were hiding in Phuc Nhac village, including Father Ly who was staying at Mr. Trum Co's home. A man named De, who used to work for Father Thanh, secretly informed the provincial governor Trinh Quang Khanh about the priests' hiding place.

On Easter morning, the governor personally led 500 soldiers to surround Phuc Nhac village. He ordered the gathering of parishioners so the soldiers could search each home. Two priests, Thanh and Ngan, managed to escape. Father Nhan was captured because his coat sleeve was sticking out while he hid in the attic. Father Ly was also caught because soldiers saw him running through Mrs. De's garden. Mr. Trum Co, four village dignitaries, and two nuns of Charity were also arrested.

Mrs. De had hidden Father Ly in a dried ditch behind her garden, but the soldiers discovered and arrested her along with Father Ly. When captured, Mrs. De was very frightened, but by the time she was taken to the village hall, she had calmed down and looked cheerful.

Wearing a dress of roses

The Christian parishioners were escorted by soldiers to Gia Dinh. They had to travel all night in extremely difficult conditions. Mrs. De, an elderly frail woman, could not bear the heavy shackles and had to be supported many times. Upon arriving in Nam city, she was imprisoned with two nuns. Six days later, she was brought before the court. The judge ordered her to renounce her faith, but she resolutely replied: "I only worship God, I will never abandon my faith for eternity."

The officials ordered Mrs. De to be whipped. Initially with rods, then with large sticks beating her legs. Mrs. De did not flinch. When her husband visited, she recounted what had happened and explained why she remained steadfast: "They beat me very cruelly, even men could not withstand it, but I was helped by the Virgin Mary, so I did not feel pain."

At the second and third interrogation hearings, Mrs. De remained loyal to her beliefs. Soldiers were ordered to drag and beat her towards the Holy Cross. She prostrated herself, crying out loud in prayer: "Oh Lord, please help me, I never want to deny my faith in you, but because I am a weak woman, they are using force to compel me to trample the Cross."

At the next court appearance, officials gathered the sleeves of Mrs. De's shirt then released venomous snakes inside. Mrs. De maintained a remarkably calm composure. She stood completely still without moving, causing the snakes to only writhe around her a few times before crawling out. The officials ordered her beaten more severely then imprisoned. But she was exhausted, unable to walk without support.

A witness named Dang later recounted: "Mrs. Ane De was beaten so brutally that her body was covered in blood and pus. Yet she remained cheerful, and wanted to endure even more hardship."

Indeed, Mrs. De fully embodied the eighth Beatitude:

"Loving the Lord of all eternally, Sacrificing gold and gems for loyalty."

Her daughter Lucia Nu visited her mother in prison. Seeing her brutally beaten, blood-stained clothes, the daughter could not hold back tears. Mrs. De comforted her child: "Don't cry anymore, mother is wearing a dress of roses. I'm happy to suffer for Lord Jesus, why are you crying?"

She further advised: "Go home and tell your siblings to take care of the house, diligently keep the faith by praying morning and night, attend Mass, and pray for mother to carry the Cross of Christ to the end. Soon mother and child will reunite in Heaven."

Aside from the brutal torture and meager diet, Mrs. De also endured the pain of dysentery. The two nuns tenderly cared for her, priests sent medicine and visited her, administering the sacraments of Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum. In her final hours, she often prayed: "Oh Lord, you died for me, I wholeheartedly follow your holy will. Please forgive all my sins."

Before passing away, Mrs. De offered this final prayer: "Jesus Mary Joseph! I entrust my soul and body into your hands, grant me the grace to follow your will in all things."

Mrs. Ane De went home to the Father in Heaven in holy spirit, after three months of imprisonment and sacrificing for the faith (07/12/1841). She was 60 years old.

Per custom, a soldier burned Mrs. De's toe to confirm she had died. Then they enshrouded her body in a coffin brought by the commune and buried her at Nam Mau execution grounds. Six months later, the parishioners reburied her in Phuc Nhac.

On May 2, 1909, Pope Pius X beatified Mrs. Ane Le Thi Thanh. She was an exemplary model for Vietnamese Catholic mothers. On June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized her as a Saint.