Saint Melchior Garcia Sampedro Xuyen (1821 - 1858) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Melchior Garcia Sampedro was born on April 26, 1821 in Arrojo, province of Oviedo, Spain, into an impoverished noble family.

At age 21 (1842), he studied theology at the Oviedo Seminary. Three years later (1845), he asked to join the Dominican Order to prepare for missionary work. After 5 years of formation, on May 29, 1847, he took vows and was ordained a priest.

In February 1849, Father Sampedro arrived in Manila and was sent to Vietnam. From then on he had the new name Xuyen. In March 1850, he was appointed Director of the Seminary in Cao Xa and in July of the same year, he was chosen as the Vicar Provincial's representative. He actively printed catechism books to serve the faithful and evangelize the non-believers.

In 1852, Bishop An chose Father Sampedro as his Coadjutor Bishop. On September 16, 1855 in Bui Chu, his episcopal ordination was celebrated solemnly. In his new role, Bishop Xuyen was very zealous. In 1855 alone, the Central region welcomed 35,349 child baptisms.

After Bishop An was martyred on July 20, 1857, Bishop Xuyen continued visiting the faithful in secret despite a high reward for his capture. Fearing the diocese would have no successor, on the night of July 8, 1858, Bishop Xuyen secretly consecrated Father Valentino Vinh as his Coadjutor Bishop in a parishioner's home in Ninh Cuong.

That same day, Bishop Xuyen was arrested in Kien Lao along with his two assistants Nguyen Tiep and Mai Hien. After 20 days in jail, on July 28, 1858, he was sentenced to death. On the way to the execution grounds of Bay Mau, holding a prayer book in one hand and raising the other to bless the crowd, he was still pelted with mud and stones.

After his two assistants were beheaded, Bishop Xuyen was tied to four wooden stakes with two under his armpits before being decapitated. His body was buried in a deep hole, while his head was displayed for 3 days before the faithful retrieved it for burial. In 1888, his remains were brought to his hometown of Oviedo, except for his right hand left in Bui Chu and his left hand taken to Manila.

On April 29, 1951, Bishop Garcia Sampedro-Xuyen was beatified, and later canonized a saint on June 19, 1988.