Saint Joseph Pham Quang Tuc (1843 - 1862) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Joseph Pham Quang Tuc was born in 1843 in Hoang Xa village, Ngoc Dong region, Hung Yen province (now part of Hai Hung). He was a simple young man, living in a hard-working farming family. His father wanted him to study Confucian classics to prepare for the imperial examinations.

However, in 1861, the authorities issued a decree banning Catholicism and confiscating properties and lands of Catholic families. Tuc's family was also affected, interrupting his studies.

In the spring of 1862, 19-year-old Tuc was arrested and imprisoned for 4 months in the Dong Khe prison, Khoai Chau province. Although his family bribed officials to help him escape, he refused, saying it would cause troubles for others.

In the same year 1862, Tuc was transferred to the Hung Yen prison. Despite threats and torture, he remained steadfast in his faith. The officials sentenced him to death by beheading and sent him to the capital Hue.

On June 1, 1862, Tuc was beheaded in Hue under the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. His remains were later reburied at the Ngoc Dong church.

Joseph Pham Quang Tuc was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized (declared a saint) on June 19, 1988.