Saint Matthew Le Van Gam (1813 - 1847) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Matthew Le Van Gam was born in 1813 in the Tat Christian community, Long Dai village, Go Cong region, former Bien Hoa province (now District 9, Ho Chi Minh City). He was the eldest of six children in the family.

At age 15 (1828), he joined the Lai Thieu Seminary, but a few months later, his parents came to ask him to return home to help support his younger siblings because the family had too many children.

In 1833, he married a young woman from the Thanh Christian community, Long Dien village, Phuoc Tuy prefecture (Ba Ria). The couple lived happily together and had 4 children.

During his trading business, which often required him to travel far from home, he once strayed and pursued another woman. When he realized his mistake, he firmly resolved to abandon that illicit relationship, lovingly cared for his wife and children, and diligently taught his children to live virtuously.

Mr. Gam owned a large boat and was knowledgeable about seafaring and unafraid of danger. He courageously went out on his boat to receive Bishop Lefebvre, Father Pierre Duclos, and 3 seminarians, also transporting religious paintings, liturgical items, Mass wine, and books.

On the return journey, the patrol boat discovered them, searched the vessel, and found the two French priests. Mr. Gam pleaded with each of them for a bar of silver to let them go, but they refused and took the entire boat to Cau Go. Fortunately, the Bishop, Father Lo, and everyone on board were unharmed, only Mr. Gam was arrested.

After over 20 days of interrogation and torture, Mr. Gam remained steadfast in his faith. Finally, he was accused of smuggling, transporting Frenchmen and banned books, and sentenced to beheading.

On May 11, 1847, at the Dui Market execution grounds, Mr. Gam knelt, bowed in repentance, and was then beheaded. His remains were buried at Mat Cat, and later Bishop Lefebvre had them moved to the old parish church of Cho Quan.

The merchant Matthew Le Van Gam was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized on June 19, 1988.