Saint Anthony Nguyen Huu Quynh (Nam) (1768-1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saints

Anton Nguyen Huu Quynh (Nam), a Catholic doctor and teacher, was born in 1768 in My Huong, Quang Binh. In 1838, he was arrested for following the Society of Foreign Missions. During his two years in prison, he cared for fellow prisoners and endured much torture. On July 10, 1840, he was executed by strangulation. On May 27, 1900, Pope Leo XIII beatified him. On June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint. His feast day is July 10.

Borrowing to help others

Anton Nguyen Huu Quynh, a military officer, doctor, and wealthy village chief, devoted his entire 72 years of life to serving God and humanity. He was always ready to help the poor, the sick, and the oppressed, despite much hardship and challenges. His saying "If you and the children do not let me take our family's belongings to help others, I will borrow or work to earn money to help them" clearly shows his spirit of service. That quote demonstrates his determination and commitment to helping others, even at the cost of his own well-being. Anton Nguyen Huu Quynh's life is a shining example of charity, altruism, and steadfast faith. He left us a precious legacy - the spirit of serving God and humanity.

Anton Nguyen Huu Quynh (Nam Quynh), the fifth son of military officer Anton Nguyen Huu Hiep and Madalena Loc, was born in 1768 in My Huong village, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. According to the family records, he was a 15th generation descendant of first merit lord Nguyen Trai.

In his youth, he asked to become a disciple of Bishop Labartette to study to become a priest, but since two of his older brothers had also asked to enter religious life, his family called him back to continue the family line. In 1800, he joined Nguyen Anh's army, contributing to the victory over the Canh Thinh forces, and was promoted to Guard Lieutenant. After national reunification, realizing military life did not suit him, he resigned. Returning home, he purchased farmland for cultivation and trading to make a living. At the same time, he spent many hours reading medicine and became a famous doctor throughout the region. As a result, his family's finances grew more prosperous.

Family, society and church

Mr. Quynh did not consider his abilities and assets as accumulating for himself, but rather to serve the people. He cared for the poor wholeheartedly, providing free medical treatment, care and even giving them extra money for capital. When his wife and children complained, he answered: "Those who help the poor will never be destitute. The Bible teaches us to consider them parts of Christ's body. If God allowed us to live, He will certainly provide sufficiently for us."

When the children grew up, Mr. Quynh told them: "I have raised you all to adulthood, now you take care of the family; I want to use the money from my medical practice to help our poor relatives and neighbors."

Mr. Nam Quynh's love for people was most clearly expressed during the cholera epidemic. He spent hundreds of quan on medicine, caring for and diligently treating patients in a selfless manner. The Christian spirit of charity impelled him to go further, not just healing bodies but also saving souls. He obeyed Bishop Labartette's teaching of catechism in the parish, and accepted the request of My Huong village to serve as village chief.

During the prohibition of Catholicism, when priests and religious had to hide, the role of people like him became even more necessary. His home became the catechism classroom, welcoming missionaries and clergy. He organized all religious activities, funerals and charity in the region. The older he became, the more careful and prudent he arranged his work, earning people's trust.

Notably, despite being busy with missionary work, he still found time to teach his children to live the Gospel. His oldest daughter joined the Lovers of the Holy Cross order, later becoming the first Mother Superior. His other children also followed his example, steadfast in faith, forgetting self-interest to work for the common good.

The fruits of faith

In 1838, King Minh Mang ordered the arrest of missionary priest Candalh Kim. Mr. Quynh personally escorted the priest to Kim Sen, an old ancestral estate, bringing books and statues from My Huong parish. Seeing him away from home for many days, the authorities sent soldiers to search his home. They interrogated the servants, one of whom, fearing greatly, revealed Mr. Quynh's whereabouts. The official then arrested Mrs. Quynh and her two young daughters, one 14 and one 10, who were home at the time.

The official tried to force the mother and daughters to renounce their faith, but none obeyed. Angry, he ordered the soldiers to beat the girls' legs to make them step on the Cross. The two girls still steadfastly refused to submit. The soldiers rushed up to drag the sisters away. Despite their young age and weakness, the two girls kept crying out that they were being forced, that their hearts still venerated the Cross.

The official could not help but admire the steely hearts of the mother and daughters. He released them and ordered the soldiers to withdraw.

Next, troops surrounded the Kim Sen camp, capturing Mr. Quynh and confiscating some religious books. They escorted him to Dong Hoi. Along the way, Mr. Quynh secretly messaged a son to meet him, bribing the soldiers 50 quan to burn the registry of Catholic members in the parish.

In the Dong Hoi prison, Mr. Quynh happily met missionary priest Borie Cao, Fathers Diem and Khoa, and Catechist Tu. He was tortured along with them many times, but still steadfastly professed his faith: "I would rather die than deny God, even for an instant."

Once, the official had soldiers drag him across the Cross. He loudly protested: "This was done by you officials, if there is any offense it is you who commits it, not me." That statement angered the official, who ordered him put in stocks and taken to prison.

A few days later, the official asked Father Cao why Mr. Quynh was so stubborn. The missionary replied: "The faithful stepped over the Cross because they did not properly understand the doctrine and were cowardly, while Mr. Quynh thoroughly grasped religious principles and had strong faith, so Your Excellency forcing him is useless and brings no benefit."

Disappointed, the official sent the case file to the capital. Bishop Cao was condemned to beheading, Fathers Diem and Khoa to immediate strangulation, while Catechist Tu and Mr. Quynh were also condemned to strangulation but "delayed", meaning the sentence would be carried out later.

Time passed quickly, two years had gone by since Mr. Quynh and Catechist Tu were arrested. During that time, the impatient district official sent petitions to the capital three or four times requesting their execution, but King Minh Mang kept delaying, writing letters advising patience. In a letter to the Society of Foreign Missions, Father Miche Mich explained:

"Mr. Anton was acquainted with many officials, having treated illnesses for many more. Many people knew of his virtues and knowledge and respected him. Therefore, his attitude carried much influence among the people. For them, snatching such great prey from the hands of Jesus was a tremendous victory. No wonder 'hell' had to devise hundreds of schemes to regain their impending loss."

Despite being 72 years old, Mr. Quynh still displayed admirable courage and endurance. All day he read prayers, kept fasts and loved helping others. His medical skill still benefited people, healing an official in Dong Hoi and especially fellow prisoners.

Final exhortation

Seeing Mr. Quynh still steadfast in faith, King Minh Mang approved the Quang Binh provincial official's request to strangle him on July 10, 1840.

The final report of sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang stated:

In September of the 19th year of Minh Meng, the General Governor submitted the verdicts on Nguyen Khac Tu, a disciple of Father Borie, and Nguyen Huu Nam, who admitted hiding religious books.

Judge Phan Tru condemned Nguyen Huu Nam to beheading for hiding religious books, refusing to step on images and renounce Catholicism. However, this sentence was later changed to strangulation.

Judge Phan Tru also condemned Nguyen Khac Tu to 100 lashes and exile to Phu Yen, tattooing the words "Left religion" and "Phu Yen" on his face, for assisting Father Borie and refusing to step on images.

King Minh Mang approved the verdicts of Judge Phan Tru, considering both men stubborn and disobedient, deserving strangulation.

The next year, the 20th year of Minh Meng, by order of King Minh Mang, sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang several times summoned Nguyen Huu Nam and Nguyen Khac Tu before the court hall, exhorting them to awaken and return to the true religion. However, both remained stubborn in refusing to step on images.

Sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang submitted a memorial reporting to King Minh Mang, deeming both men as "blindly stubborn and truly detestable." He proposed King Minh Mang strangle both men.

However, senior officials of the Tribunal proposed the two men should be beheaded instead. By October of the 20th year of Minh Meng, sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang received a letter from the Tribunal conveying that by order of King Minh Mang, the executions would be postponed. Sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang was ordered to convene the provincial council, pressure the two men in court to see if they repented, then report back all matters and await orders.

By order of King Minh Mang, sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang again summoned the two Catholic believers before the court, exhorted and ordered them to step on images and cease their stubbornness. However, both remained steadfast in disobeying, proving they still wallowed in ignorance and blindness.

Therefore, sentencing official Nguyen Xuan Quang prepared this memorial requesting the edict of King Minh Mang.

Vo Xuan Can, Bui Ngoc Qui and Dinh Van Huy, by order of King Minh Mang, examined this memorial on May 21st and decreed: The criminals Nguyen Huu Nam and Nguyen Khac Tu followed a heretical religion, deserving death. However, since they were ignorant commoners and the king wished to show mercy, he repeatedly ordered officials to exhort them to reform for clemency. But the two stubborn criminals remained mired in ignorance and stubbornly refused to step on images. Therefore, they brought death upon themselves. Thus, the two criminals must be immediately strangled, with no further delay. Their deaths will deter other stubborn men who do not know to repent.

About 100 soldiers escorted Mr. Quynh and Catechist Tu to the execution grounds. Arriving there, the two asked where Bishop Cao and Fathers Khoa and Diem had been executed five years prior. The two stopped right at that spot, praying: "Lord, we thank you for granting us the grace to be here like them."

Finished praying, Mr. Quynh sat down, calmly smoking the cigarette the official had given him.

Two of his children came to bid farewell. He directed them to go see Catechist Tu, asking the catechist to pray for the children. Then he spoke these final words:

"Father sends regards to the dignitaries and Catholic brethren of My Huong. Praying for everyone's peace, remaining steadfast in faith. Love one another and live virtuously, children, and you will meet father again in Heaven."

Speaking thus, Mr. Quynh lay down on the prepared mat, stretching out his arms, saying: "Long ago, the Lord also stretched out His arms like this to be nailed to the Cross." The soldiers slipped the noose around his neck. Amidst the deafening shouts, they forcefully pulled the rope ends tight, sending him to eternal happiness.

Pope Leo XIII beatified Anton Nguyen Huu Quynh on May 27, 1900. On June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint.

Today, two lines of verse carved on Mr. Quynh's tombstone in Kim Sen village are still inspiring:

"Lofty righteousness displayed for the nation, Sacred protection blessing mountains and rivers."