Saint Luca Vu Ba Loan (1756 - 1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Luca Vu Ba Loan was born in 1756 at Trai But, Bai Vang region, now belonging to But Dong, Chau Giang commune, Duy Tien district, Ha Nam province. From a young age, he studied at the parish house. He was ordained a priest during the Tay Son dynasty rule.

From the time he was ordained until his martyrdom in 1840, Father Luca Loan always lived virtuously and wisely. Therefore, Bishop Khiem praised him: "Among Vietnamese priests from ancient times until now, there is none equal to him." Father Luca Loan often advised the faithful to do good deeds and set a bright example for others to follow.

In 1829, Father Loan took charge of the Ke So parish. He took devoted care of the parish and fulfilled all his duties perfectly. On December 6, 1840, at the age of 84, Father Loan was arrested. Two storekeepers named Cang and Kieng, who had committed the crime of embezzling public funds and were exiled, wanted to make up for their crime, so they arrested Father Loan and handed him over to the provincial mandarin in Hanoi on December 6, 1840.

When forced to step on the cross to renounce his faith, he firmly refused: "At my advanced age, how can I crave life and fear death? As a priest and leader, how can I step on the cross as the mandarin orders?" When arrested, the faithful came to visit him, and he said: "To die for the faith is what I have long desired, at this moment I am very joyful."

On June 5, 1841, King Minh Mang ordered Father Loan to be beheaded at the O Cau Giay gate, where other priests had also been executed before. After his martyrdom, the faithful from Ke Chuon, Chan Son, and Ke Set took his remains for burial.

On May 27, 1900, Pope Leo XIII elevated Father Luca Vu Ba Loan to the rank of Blessed, and on June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a Saint.