Saint John Baptist Dinh Van Thanh (1796 - 1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint John Baptist Dinh Van Thanh was born in 1796 in Non Khe village, Hao Nho district, Ninh Binh province. This village originally belonged to Hao Nho district, but now belongs to Quang Phuc district, Phat Diem Diocese. His parents did not follow the Catholic religion. At the age of 18, he converted to Catholicism and received the Sacrament of Baptism in Phuc Nhac village.

When John Baptist Dinh Van Thanh had reached the rank of preacher, his superiors appointed him to assist Father Khoan in Phuc Nhac district. Master Thanh was very obedient and never disobeyed his superiors. Father Khoan assigned him to oversee the Dong Bien estate. Father Khoan praised Master Thanh as a diligent, hardworking person with a special talent.

On August 24, 1837, Master Thanh, Father Khoan and Master Hieu were arrested in Dong Bien. All three were taken to Ninh Binh province. During the interrogation, Master Thanh remained humble, allowing Father Khoan to answer first before responding in the same way. When first interrogated by the mandarin, he said: "I am a servant of this senior priest, whatever he decides, I will do the same. Great mandarin, if you show mercy, I can live, but if you force me to abandon my religion, I am willing to die. Regarding my religion, I will never abandon it."

When beaten by the mandarin's orders, he endured without uttering a word. He was later imprisoned and sentenced to beheading. The night before his execution, Master Thanh recited prayers all night.

On April 28, 1840, the mandarin ordered the execution of Father Khoan, Master Hieu and Master Thanh. On the way to the execution grounds at the foot of Canh Dieu mountain, the three walked and sang thanksgiving prayers. At the execution site, Master Thanh was beheaded. That night, the faithful took his body to Yen Moi, then brought it to Phuc Nhac.

The preacher John Baptist Dinh Van Thanh was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized on June 19, 1988.