Saint Domingo Henares Minh (1765 - 1838) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Domingo Henares - Minh was born on December 19, 1765 in the village of Baena, Diocese of Cordoba, Spain into a wealthy family, but was taught by his virtuous mother to love the poor. At age 16, he asked to join the Dominican Order. On August 30, 1783, he received the habit at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Granada and took the name Domingo Henares.

After a year of formation, Domingo asked to be sent as a missionary to the Philippines. Upon arriving in Manila, Domingo continued studying Theology and was ordained a priest on September 20, 1789. Although his superiors wanted to keep him in Manila, he was determined to go to remote missionary territories.

On October 29, 1790, he left the Philippines with Bishop Delgado and two other priests to go to Vietnam. Within the first 6 months, Domingo became fluent in Vietnamese and took the Vietnamese name Minh. He was appointed Director of the Seminary of Tien Chau, teaching Moral Theology and Latin. In 1798, he was appointed Vicar General of the diocese.

On September 9, 1800, Pope Pius VII appointed Domingo as Coadjutor Bishop to succeed Bishop Delgado. His episcopal ordination took place on January 9, 1803 in Phu Nhai. Bishop Hermosilla praised his virtue, pastoral zeal and exemplary life.

During a period of persecution, on June 11, 1838, he was arrested along with Fr. Chieu. Despite being severely tortured, Bishop Minh remained absolutely silent to protect the priests. On June 26, 1838, at the court of Nam Dinh, he was beheaded at age 73, after 48 years as a missionary in Vietnam and 38 years as a Bishop.

He was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized on June 19, 1988.