Saint Dominic Nguyen Van Huyen (1817-1862) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Dominic Huyen, a lay martyr born in 1817 in Dong Thanh, Thai Binh, died burnt on June 5, 1862 in Nam Dinh together with Dominic Toai. On April 29, 1951, Pope Pius XII beatified the two of them and Pope John Paul II canonized them as saints on June 19, 1988, with the feast day on June 5.

Dominic Toai was born in 1812 and Dominic Huyen in 1817. They were lay Catholics in Dong Thanh parish, Thanh Binh province. Both had families and were devout and virtuous family leaders who always set an example of loving God and people. They made a living as fishermen, casting their nets daily on the Nhi Binh river near the Ba Lat estuary. They had simple, honest personalities and were loved and praised by their colleagues and everyone around them.

In August 1861, King Tu Duc fiercely persecuted Catholics. He issued the Phan Sap decree to exterminate Catholics. According to this decree, soldiers and non-Catholics were allowed to enter Catholic villages to confiscate property and arrest Catholics to bring to officials to have the words “Left religion” carved on their faces. At that time, groups of soldiers and non-Catholics entered Dong Thanh parish. After looting the Catholics' property, they arrested many people, including Dominic Toai and Dominic Huyen, and brought them to the district officials. Toai was ill and could not walk. They told him to pay money for his release so he could return to his family, but he asked to go with them to the district officials because he wanted to profess his faith before everyone and sacrifice his life as a witness to the faith.

The soldiers took them to Quynh Coi district and imprisoned them, awaiting trial. For nine months in prison, they suffered hunger, thirst and chains but never complained, always ready to endure hardship and privation - first, to gain merit, and second, to set an example of courageous sacrifice for their fellow prisoners. Not only that, they often encouraged and inspired their friends to persevere in the faith.

During their imprisonment, they were brought out to the public ground several times and forced to step on a cross. They firmly refused to do so, despite the officials’ attempts to entice them with promises of freedom and money. They replied: “Worldly possessions come and go; they cannot bring us lasting happiness. Only God enables us to live forever and enjoy eternal blessings. We firmly believe in God to receive that happiness from Him.”

Given their resolute attitude, the officials angrily condemned them to death by fire. They rejoiced at bearing witness for God and participating in the salvation of souls.

On the morning of June 5, 1862, Dominic Toai and Dominic Huyen steadfastly climbed the pyre. As the flames blazed, they sang praises to God and begged Him for strength to complete their mission.

On April 29, 1951, the Catholic Church beatified both of them, and on June 19, 1988, they were canonized as saints.