Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau, of the Third Order of St. Dominic, preacher, born in 1790 in Ke Dieu, Thai Binh, died on December 19, 1839 in Co Me, executed by strangulation along with 4 companions Stephanô Vinh and Ðaminh Uy, on May 27, 1900, Pope Leo XIII canonized the 5 martyr heroes including Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau, Ðaminh Bui Van Uy, Augustinô Nguyen Van Moi, Toma Nguyen Van De and Stephanô Nguyen Van Vinh as Blessed, on June 19, 1988 Pope John Paul II canonized them as saints, feast day on December 19.
Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau, preacher, born in 1790 in the village of Ke Dien, Thai Binh province, when arrested and offered an official position in the court in exchange for his life, without hesitation, he answered "I do not care for power, I only want to die for the faith", when Father Peter Tu was arrested, Father Mau was overseeing the Noi parish in Ke Mot, upon hearing that Father Tu and Father Uy were taken to Luong Tai, he went there to gather information but was arrested because the homeowner secretly reported him to officials, when brought to the Luong Tai court, he identified himself as a close disciple of Father Tu despite the Father advising him to hide his identity to escape, he still asked the Father to acknowledge him as a student to share in martyrdom.
Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau after Father Tu and Mr. Canh were executed, became the pillar supporting the remaining 4 people - Father Uy, brothers Moi, Vinh and De, he exhorted them to live in fraternity, comforted and helped each other, represented everyone in writing letters or answering officials, encouraging them to enthusiastically do missionary work right in prison, according to the canonization records of Father Huan, Father Mau taught catechism to prisoners, baptized 44 people including the felon Hung who had just learned the faith for 1 month, asked the official to postpone his execution to receive baptism then cheerfully went to his death, when the official said those who die for refusing to step on the cross are foolish for not caring for their parents, Father immediately said that even parents exist by God's power, upon hearing the death sentence, Father said he longed to be with God like a deer longing for streams, asking the official to carry out the king's order.
Comforting Consolation
After a fruitless month of torture, on July 27, 1838, the provincial mandarin of Bac Ninh sentenced Father Tu and Mr. Canh to death, but considered Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau weak-minded so sentenced him to flogging then exile, according to the laws of the time, exile was for those who recanted, not death, but King Minh Mang determined the crime of following the Christian faith more serious, so ordered the immediate beheading of the first two, while Moi would face strangulation if he did not change his mind after a year.
On September 5, 1838, upon hearing of Father Tu and Mr. Canh’s executions, Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau was very saddened, Catechist Mau called on the brothers to pray together, comfort each other and recall the Father’s teachings. For 3 consecutive nights during prayers, the catechists said they saw visions of Father Tu returning to encourage them, saying they would die for the faith like him but must undergo trials to prove themselves worthy, whether dreams or actually the Father's messages, this helped them overcome their sorrow and courageously live as models even in prison.
Prior Commitment in Prison
Francis Xavier Ha Trong Mau and four others had worn the habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic but had not yet taken vows. Deeply memorable to him were Father Tu's words about the religious habit on the day he received news of his martyrdom. Catechist Mau wrote to Father Huan of the Dominican Order requesting permission for them to take vows in the Order despite inability to fully observe the fast, since they could not make vows in person before the superior, to accept the letter itself as solemn vows in his presence, expressing their ardent desire for full communion with the Order.
“To the honor and glory of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we Franciscans, Dominics, Augustines, Thomases and Stephanos, in the presence of Father Huan representing Father Hermosilla, superior of the Penitent Order of St. Dominic, vow and desire to observe the rule and constitutions of the Order until death."
After being united with the Dominican Order, the five brothers were even more active in prison ministry under Catechist Mau’s guidance, taking turns interacting with fellow prisoners, introducing them to the Lord, teaching catechism then bringing them to Mau for baptism, they baptized at least 44 people. The prison now echoed with prayers, hymns of praise and petitions for all to be filled with God's abundant blessings, demonstrating their missionary zeal after bonding with the Dominican Order "until death."
Witness Before the Mandarin
Over a year later, on August 19, 1839, the five were brought to trial, the mandarin placed a cross on one side and torture instruments on the other, urging them to renounce their faith for pardon. Catechist Mau replied on their behalf that they were determined to remain loyal to the Lord and ready to die in any manner. They then knelt to venerate the cross, praying for deliverance and entrusting their souls. Frustrated at their staunch loyalty, the mandarin returned them to prison, saying he could not pardon this group because they did not bother to beg for mercy.
On November 24, the five were tried again, still firmly refusing to deny their faith. Catechist Mau told the mandarin they worshiped only the one God who is the common Father of all creatures, King above all kings, and longed to shed their blood to prove their faithful love. On December 19, 1839 before the executions, as a final chance, the mandarin said if they walked by or circled the statue they would be pardoned, but they were not fooled. Kneeling in prayer, Catechist Mau quoted Scripture saying they longed to return to the Lord as the deer longs for streams of water, asking the mandarin to carry out the king’s sentence. They remained steadfast to the end.
Realizing he could not shake their unyielding resolve, the mandarin ordered their executions for the crimes of following the Christian faith, heresy and stubborn refusal to step on the cross. Along the way, they appeared joyful, Catechist Mau marched ahead and the brothers followed smiling, telling onlookers they were advancing toward heaven. Upon arrival at the place of execution, each one was tied to a stake then strangled to death. The faithful brought their bodies for burial in the Christian villages. The five heroes steadfastly shed their blood for the faith.
On May 27, 1900, Pope Leo XIII beatified Franciscus Xavier Ha Trong Mau, Dominic Bui Van Uy, Augustin Nguyen Van Moi, Thomas Nguyen Van De and Stephanus Nguyen Van Vinh. Later on June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized them as saints.