Saint Joseph Nguyen Duy Khang (1832 - 1861) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Joseph Nguyen Duy Khang was born in 1832 in Cao Mai village, Tra Vi commune, Vu Tien district, Thai Binh province into a family with a tradition of morality. His father passed away early, and his virtuous mother raised and taught him to become a calm, courageous, and devout person.

In 1845, Nguyen Duy Khang was accepted into the Lord's House and was taught for nearly 10 years by Father Matthew Nang of the Dominican Order. Afterwards, he asked to join the Dominican Order and was sent to study at the Ke Mot Seminary to prepare for the priesthood.

On August 5, 1861, King Tu Duc issued a decree strictly prohibiting Catholicism. The Ke Mot Seminary was closed and later destroyed by royal order. Bishop Hermosilla left Ke Mot and took refuge in a cave in Tho Ninh. The 29-year-old Nguyen Duy Khang was assigned to accompany and protect the Bishop.

Bishop Hermosilla and Father Khang were arrested and taken to the capital of Hai Duong. On January 1, 1861, the Bishop was executed. Father Khang was imprisoned for over a month and brutally tortured twice for refusing to reveal the hiding places of other missionary leaders. The second time, he was whipped 120 times. In prison, he organized prayer services, did penance, and prepared himself spiritually for martyrdom.

On December 6, 1861, Father Joseph Nguyen Duy Khang was executed at the Nam Mau courtyard in Hai Duong. His body was buried at the execution site until 1867 when it was reinterred at the Ke Mot church.

On May 20, 1906, Father Joseph Nguyen Duy Khang was beatified, and later canonized on June 19, 1988.