Saint John Baptist Tran Ngoc Con (1805 - 1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint John Baptist Tran Ngoc Con was born in 1805 in Ke Bang village, Vu Ban district, Nam Dinh province into a poor but harmonious and warm farming family. After winning a case against an abusive village chief who had seized people's property, Mr. Con's reputation grew and he was elected as the new village chief. In this role, he was very dedicated to the community and fervently served the Catholic faithful. He often went out in the pouring rain in the middle of the night to find a priest to provide last rites to the dying. When King Minh Mang issued a decree to arrest missionaries, Mr. Con secretly arranged hiding places and cared for their health.

On May 30, 1840, after receiving a report, Governor Trinh Quang Khanh personally led a large military force to surround Ke Bang village. After two days, they arrested three Vietnamese priests along with Mr. Con and another man named Mr. Tho. Accused of harboring religious leaders, Mr. Con was beaten and imprisoned under harsh conditions. However, despite all threats and enticements from the authorities, he remained steadfast in his faith.

On November 8, 1840, Mr. Con was sentenced to death at the court. Before his execution, he prayed and allowed the soldiers to tie his hands to the stake before being beheaded. His remains were buried in his hometown of Ke Bang. Later, he was beatified by the Church on May 27, 1900, and then canonized a saint on June 19, 1988.