A Pillar of Family and Community

Saint Anthony Nguyễn Tiến Đích was born in 1769 in Chi Long village, Nam Xang district, Nam Định province. Later, he moved to establish his livelihood in Kẻ Vĩnh village (Vĩnh Trị). Respected by all as "Elder Trùm Tiến Đích," he was an exemplary Catholic head of household, dedicated to caring for and educating his children in the faith.

He was not only devoted to his immediate family but also renowned for his generosity toward clergy and seminarians. He frequently provided them with material support. Notably, when Kẻ Vĩnh Seminary suffered a cholera outbreak, he welcomed many seminarians into his home, caring for them tirelessly until they fully recovered, without regard for cost or effort. During the period of severe persecution, he courageously sheltered and supported a class of seminarians from Vĩnh Trị Seminary for over two years. Bishop Joseph Havard - Du also frequently stayed at his home to evade capture.

A Legacy of Faith Passed Down

The faith of the saint’s family was strongly continued through subsequent generations. Two of his sons were also heroic witnesses:

  • Mr. Lý Thi (the second son) sacrificed his life, being strangled in 1858 under King Tự Đức.
  • Mr. Phó Nhâm (the fourth son) firmly refused to trample on the cross, accepting exile to Cao Bằng, where he died for his faith.

A Lesson in Filial Piety and Steadfastness

The story of Elder Trùm Tiến Đích and his son-in-law, Nguyễn Huy Mỹ, is a touching testament to filial piety and loyalty. Mr. Mỹ, aged 34, served as a village chief (lý trưởng) and had a happy family with eight virtuous children. When both father and son-in-law were arrested and imprisoned for their faith, the provincial governor ordered Elder Trùm Tiến Đích to be beaten. At that moment, Mr. Mỹ boldly requested to take his father-in-law’s place: “My father-in-law is advanced in age; please spare him, Your Honor. I accept the beating in his stead.” Moved by this filial devotion, the official agreed.

Although tempted to step over the Holy Cross to enjoy his old age with his descendants, Elder Trùm Tiến Đích firmly refused. In prison, he demonstrated boundless love by sharing food sent by his family with fellow prisoners, regardless of whether they were Catholic or non-Catholic.

Martyrdom and Glory

At dawn on August 12, 1838, at Bảy Mẫu execution ground, Saint Anthony Nguyễn Tiến Đích and his son-in-law Nguyễn Huy Mỹ were beheaded by order of King Minh Mạng. That very night, their remains were solemnly carried back to Vĩnh Trị village amidst a forest of torches that lit up the sky, reflecting the community’s deep reverence.

The Church declared him Blessed on May 27, 1900, and canonized him 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.