Saint Dominic Tran Van Toai (1812 - 1862) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Dominic Toai born in 1812 and Dominic Huyen born in 1817, both were lay apostles in Dong Thanh parish, Thanh Binh province. Both had families and were devout and exemplary family leaders who always set an example of loving God and people. The two made a living by fishing, casting their nets daily on the Nhi Binh river near the Ba Lat estuary. With simple, honest dispositions, both were loved and praised by their colleagues and everyone. In August 1861, King Tu Duc harshly cracked down on Catholics. The king issued an edict to exterminate Catholics, which allowed soldiers and non-Catholics to enter Catholic villages to confiscate property and capture believers to be handed over to mandarins for inscription of the words "Left religion" onto their faces.

In 1860, soldiers and non-Catholics invaded Dong Thanh parish, Thai Binh. They confiscated property and captured many Catholics including Dominic Toai and Dominic Huyen. Although ill, Toai resolutely went with them to the district mandarin to profess his faith.

The two were imprisoned for nine months, suffering hunger, thirst, shackles and chains but always optimistic, cheerful, ready to endure hardship and distress. They comforted and encouraged their fellow believers to perseveringly keep their faith.

During their imprisonment, they were brought out to the public ground several times and forced to step on the Cross. They firmly refused to comply despite tempting offers of freedom and money from the mandarins. They responded that worldly wealth comes and goes, unable to bring lasting happiness. Only God makes them live forever and enjoy eternal blessings. They were determined to believe in God to attain the happiness He grants.

Furious, the mandarins condemned them to death by burning. The two rejoiced for being able to testify for God and participate in the salvation of souls.

On the morning of June 5, 1862, Dominic Toai and Dominic Huyen ascended the pyre. As the flames soared, they joyfully sang praises to God, pleading for strength to complete their mission of testifying for Him.

In 1951, Pope Pius XII beatified the two. In 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized them as saints.