Saint Joan Doan Trinh Hoan (1798 - 1861) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Joan Doan Trinh Hoan was born in 1798 in Kim Long village, Phu Xuan, Diocese of Hue. His parents were virtuous Catholics, making a living by weaving silk.

According to research by the Archdiocese of Hue, the gravestone of Saint Hoan records his surname as Doan, not Doan.

Young Hoan was intelligent and eager to learn. His uncle, Father Kiet, took him as a student, teaching him Latin. Later, Hoan was sent to study at the Penang Seminary. After graduating, Father Joan returned to Vietnam to assist Bishop Taberd in translating Catholic books and newspapers. In 1836, Father Joan was ordained a priest by Bishop Etienne Cuenot in Saigon.

For 26 years as a priest, Father Joan Hoan served in many parishes as assigned by his superiors. He was always zealous in his work, calm, prudent and loving towards all people.

On the night of January 3, 1861, government forces ambushed and arrested Father Hoan while he was hiding in a haystack. The authorities ordered the torture of a Catholic to force him to reveal Father's hiding place. Witnessing such cruelty, the 63-year-old Father surrendered himself. Soldiers cheered, tied up Father and some others, and escorted them to the Dong Hoi prison.

In prison, Father Hoan was repeatedly tortured and forced to step on the cross during interrogations. However, he remained gentle in his words and demeanor. This sparked compassion in the guards, allowing nuns and Catholics to visit, bringing the Holy Communion and supplies for Father.

When bidding farewell, Father Hoan used the words of Saint Paul to exhort: "Imitate me, as I imitate Christ, live in his peace and pray for me."

At dawn on May 26, 1861, under the Tự Đức reign, Father Hoan was brought to the execution ground with the sentence: "The criminal named Hoan, a missionary spreading the heretical religion among the people, is condemned to beheading."

On May 2, 1909, Father Joan Doan Trinh Hoan was officially beatified, and later canonized on June 19, 1988.