Saint Anthony Nguyễn Hữu Quỳnh: A Model of Charity and Steadfast Faith
Saint Anthony Nguyễn Hữu Quỳnh, commonly known as Năm Quỳnh, was born in 1768 in Mỹ Hương village, Lệ Thủy district, Quảng Bình province. He was the fifth child of Mr. Anthony Hiệp and Mrs. Magdalena Lộc. According to family records, he was a 15th-generation descendant of the renowned scholar Nguyễn Trãi (1380–1442).
A Physician for the Poor
In 1800, Mr. Quỳnh enlisted in the service of Crown Prince Nguyễn Ánh and rose to the rank of Vệ Uý (Guard Commander). Two years later, he discharged from military service, returned home, studied medicine, and became a famous physician. With a compassionate heart, he treated the poor free of charge and even provided them with financial assistance.
He believed that helping those in need was the duty of Christians, as they are members of Christ’s body. He trusted absolutely in Divine Providence: “God has given us life; He will surely provide for our needs.” When his children grew up, he dedicated all income from selling medicine to sharing with the poor, rather than accumulating wealth for his family.
A Devoted Parish Leader and Exemplary Family Man
Dedicating himself to serving the Church, he accepted the role of parish leader (Trùm họ) of Mỹ Hương village and assisted Bishop Labartette - Bình in catechesis. His home became a shelter for missionaries and a classroom for religious instruction. He educated his children to love the Church and remain firm in their faith. His eldest daughter joined the Mến Thánh Giá (Lovers of the Holy Cross) Congregation.
During a house search by soldiers, they forced Mrs. Quỳnh and her two youngest daughters to step over the Cross. The mother and daughters affirmed that this act was done under duress and that they always revered the Cross in their hearts. Their steadfastness impressed the soldiers, who released them.
Imprisonment and Martyrdom
Mr. Quỳnh was arrested at Kim Sen camp and escorted to Đồng Hới. Learning that the soldiers held the register of faithful members, he instructed his son to bring 50 quan of money to redeem it and protect the community. In the Đồng Hới prison, he rejoiced to share imprisonment with Bishop Borie - Cao, Father Điểm, Father Khoa, and Teacher Tự.
When soldiers tied him up and forced him to step over the Cross, he resisted strongly: “This act is ordered by the mandarins; if there is sin, it falls on them, not on me.” He declared firmly: “I would rather die than deny God, even for a moment.”
Unable to break the witnesses, the mandarins sent the verdict to the imperial capital. The three missionaries were sentenced to decapitation, while Mr. Anthony and Teacher Tự were sentenced to strangulation but with a stay of execution. During two years of imprisonment, Mr. Quỳnh demonstrated admirable patience and fortitude. He devoted himself to prayer, fasting, and using his medical skills to treat fellow prisoners and even a mandarin official in Đồng Hới.
The Final Moments
On the morning of July 10, 1840, approximately 100 soldiers led Mr. Quỳnh and Teacher Tự to the execution ground. There, the two stopped at the exact spot where the three missionaries had previously been martyred to pray in thanksgiving. Mr. Quỳnh calmly smoked the final pipe of tobacco offered by the official.
Meeting his two children who came to bid farewell, he exhorted them: “I send my greetings to the dignitaries and faithful brothers and sisters of Mỹ Hương. I wish everyone peace and fidelity to the faith. Love one another and live virtuously, and you will meet me again in Heaven.”
Lying down on the prepared mat, he spread out his arms, saying: “Just so did Christ spread out His arms when He was crucified.” Amidst the loud clanging of gongs, the sentence of strangulation was carried out, bringing this faithful servant of Christ to eternal happiness.
His tomb in Kim Sen parish bears two lines of poetry in his memory:
Righteousness raised high across the land,
Majestic protection throughout the mountains and rivers.
He was beatified on May 27, 1900, and canonized on June 19, 1988.
The content about the saint in this post is summarized and paraphrased from the book “Hạnh Các Thánh Tử Đạo Việt Nam” - Lives of the Vietnamese Martyrs (Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference, edited by Bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Khảm, Tôn Giáo Publishing House, 2018). This post is not a verbatim copy but a re‑presentation based on the original source.