Saint Dominic Bùi Văn Úy – A Witness of Steadfast Faith
Saint Dominic Bùi Văn Úy was a young catechist, born in 1812 in the Tiền Môn community, Kẻ Rèm village, Thái Bình province. From childhood, he entered the House of God (seminary), serving Father Nguyễn Văn Tự and studying to become a catechist. When Father Tự was transferred to the Kẻ Mốt parish (Bắc Ninh province), Teacher Úy faithfully accompanied him until the day they both faced the trial of martyrdom.
Filial Piety and Unshakable Faith
On June 29, 1838, soldiers surrounded Kẻ Mốt village, arrested Father Tự, and forced the villagers to gather at the communal house for roll call, demanding they trample on the Holy Cross. With ironclad faith, Teacher Úy firmly refused to profane this sacred symbol. Consequently, he was arrested and escorted to the Bắc Ninh prison camp along with Father Tự, Mr. Trùm Cảnh, and Teacher Mậu.
Witnessing his father figure being threatened, Teacher Úy demonstrated remarkable courage and devotion. He earnestly begged the soldiers: “My father did not flee; please, officials, do not beat him, but beat me instead.”
Father Tự, worried that Teacher Úy might waver under the authorities’ schemes, suggested several times: “If you wish to live, I will speak to lessen your punishment?” His intention was to declare to the officials that Teacher Úy was merely a cook, not a religious leader. However, Teacher Úy solemnly replied: “Father, I wish to die with you. Please speak in a way that makes my crime seem even heavier.” Hearing this, Father Tự was reassured and joyfully promised to identify him as a catechist, so that he might have the blessing of dying for the faith. Teacher Úy received this news with joy and immediately went to confession, preparing himself for the end.
Professing Faith Before the Court
During the trials, when ordered to step over the cross, Teacher Úy not only refused but also posed a bold question: “Do you dare to step over the King’s face, yet you force me to step over the image of my Lord? Even if you step over the King’s face, I will never step over the face of my Lord!” These sharp words angered the officials, leading them to decide on a death sentence.
In another hearing, the judge persuaded him: “Why are you so stubborn? Your teacher (Father Tự) has already apostatized!” Teacher Úy remained steadfast, clarifying: “Even if my teacher has apostatized, I will not follow him, but is it possible that my teacher truly did so?” His wisdom and loyalty clarified his unyielding belief.
Martyrdom and Glory
Catechist Dominic Bùi Văn Úy was sentenced to death by strangulation on December 19, 1839, at the Cổ Mễ execution ground in Nam Định province. His remains were respectfully buried at the Đông Tiến family chapel in the Bắc Ninh Diocese. Today, part of his relics are preserved and venerated at the Diocesan Curia.
For his consecrated life and heroic death, Dominic Bùi Văn Úy was beatified on May 27, 1900, and officially canonized by Pope John Paul II 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.