Vinh was a unique case among the Vietnamese martyrs, as he was only a catechumen and had not yet been baptized when he was arrested. However, with his limited knowledge of the faith, he steadfastly bore witness to the truth. Although he only formally entered the faith and became a member of the Dominican Order while in prison, he was no less courageous than others in professing his belief in God.
Vinh was born in 1813 in Bo Trang village, Thai Binh province, into a very poor pagan family without any land. He had to work year-round as a laborer for families in Ke Mot (Bac Ninh). The only school he was able to attend and enjoy was catechism class, where he learned to read and memorize prayers. He was especially diligent in putting what he learned into practice in his daily life. However, it is unclear why he had not yet been baptized. Everyone loved him for his simplicity, integrity, strength, and honesty. He did his work thoroughly and well, never shirking or cutting corners. There was nothing to criticize about him until his arrest at the age of 26, when he was still unmarried.
On June 29, 1838, at the age of 25, when the mandarins surrounded and arrested Father Tu in Ke Mot and forced people to trample on a crucifix, Vinh boldly told them: "I would rather die than ever trample on the cross, because I know the religion of Jesus Christ is true." Because of these words, the soldiers thought he was a Catholic and arrested him along with Father Tu. He was taken to the Bac Ninh prison camp together with Tu, Cang, Uy, Mau, Moi, and De. It was here that Vinh entered the Catholic faith and became a son of St. Dominic. Throughout his martyrdom, he was a silent witness, agreeing with the others. Shackles and torture did not make him fall or lose heart. He chose St. Stephen as his patron to follow the first martyr of the Church to his last breath.
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 Stephan Nguyen Van Vinh 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, Stephan Nguyen Van Vinh 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
Stephan Nguyen Van Vinh 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.