A Simple Young Man and His Initial Profession of Faith
Saint Stephen Nguyễn Văn Vinh was born in 1813 in Bồ Trang village, Thái Bình province (now belonging to Bái Đông parish group, Bồ Ngọc parish, Diocese of Thái Bình). Coming from a poor family, he left his hometown to work as a hired laborer in Kẻ Mốt, Bắc Ninh province. With his simple, honest, strong, and straightforward nature, he was always loved by neighbors and acquaintances.
At that time, although he was not yet married and had not received the Sacrament of Baptism, he frequently attended catechism classes. His initial motivation was largely to learn how to read and write, but through this, he also memorized a few basic prayers.
The turning point in his life occurred on June 29, 1839, when government troops surrounded Kẻ Mốt parish to arrest Father Peter Tự and force everyone to trample on the Holy Cross. Facing tremendous pressure, this unbaptized young man boldly declared: “I would rather die than ever trample on the Holy Cross, because I know that the religion of Jesus Christ is the true religion.”
Noticing his steadfastness, the soldiers assumed he was a Catholic and arrested him, escorting him to Bắc Ninh where he was imprisoned with Father Tự and many other believers. It was there in prison that Vinh was blessed to be baptized by Father Tự, officially becoming a Christian. Choosing Saint Stephen as his patron saint, he resolved to follow the example of the Church’s first martyr, ready to give his life until his last breath.
Days in Prison and Missionary Work
The decree from the imperial capital in Huế arrived. King Minh Mạng decided to execute Father Tự and Mr. Cảnh by beheading; meanwhile, teachers Mậu and Úy, and three men named Mới, Đệ, and Vinh were sentenced to “strangulation with reprieve” (execution by strangulation postponed until the following year).
During the wait for their execution, these five witnesses to the faith became a great source of encouragement to one another. They wrote together to their Superior Father, requesting to join the Third Order of Dominicans and made their vows right within the prison walls. Under the guidance of teacher Mậu, the group of five actively introduced God and explained the catechism to fellow prisoners. The result was miraculous: they baptized 44 people right in the midst of imprisonment.
On August 19, 1839, the officials brought them all to court. On one side stood the Holy Cross, on the other lay terrifying instruments of torture. The official tempted them: “You have been imprisoned for a long time and have suffered much. If you renounce your faith, I will release you to return to your wives and children.” Teacher Mậu spoke on behalf of the brothers, affirming their determination to remain faithful to God. All five knelt down to venerate the Cross and prayed: “O Lord! Save us, we entrust our souls into Your hands.” Seeing this, the disappointed official exclaimed: “These people cannot be forgiven, nor do they even desire forgiveness!” He then ordered the guards to take them back to prison.
Martyrdom and Glory
On December 19, 1839, just before the execution, the officials offered one final chance: “Just walk past the foot of the statue, and we will pardon you,” or “Just walk around the statue, and we will pardon you.” However, these witnesses to the faith were not deceived. They calmly knelt down and recited prayers aloud, preparing themselves for their final encounter with God.
At the Cổ Mễ execution ground, each person was tied to a pre-dug stake and executed by strangulation. The body of Nguyễn Văn Vinh was later brought back for burial at the Hương La family chapel, Tử Nê parish, Diocese of Bắc Ninh. The relics of the saint are still respectfully preserved there today.
The sacrifice and loyalty of Saint Stephen Nguyễn Văn Vinh were recognized by the Church. He was beatified on May 27, 1900, and canonized as a saint 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.