Saint Matthew Nguyen Van Phuong (1808 - 1861) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Matthew Nguyen Van Phuong was born in 1808 in Ke Lai village, Ly Nhon, Quang Binh province. His father was the village chief Nguyen Van Buong.

His name was Duc, Phuong was the name of his eldest child. Orphaned from a young age, at 12 years old, young Phuong strived to learn the medical profession from Teacher Nhu, a kind oriental medicine teacher.

When he was 15 years old, young Phuong devotedly assisted Father Nguyen Thoi Diem. Appreciating his virtuous heart and diligent character, Father Diem arranged for young Phuong to marry Miss Von, the daughter of Mr. Khiem from the devout Sao Bun family. Mr. Phuong moved in to live with the musician's family and practiced as a physician. His wife did business trading goods. They had 8 children, living in harmony, lovingly educating their children in the faith.

Not only caring for his own family's faith, Mr. Phuong also visited, consoled, and helped the sick, called for priests to administer last rites and brought the Holy Communion as "viaticum" to the dying faithful. Mr. Phuong was trusted by the priests, appointed as the leader of the Sao Bun parish to lead daily prayers, teach catechism to catechumens, or baptize children in emergencies. During the period of persecution, Leader Phuong courageously sheltered Father Doan Trinh Hoan in January 1861 when the priest came to administer sacraments to the Sao Bun parishioners.

Someone informed the authorities for a reward, and the soldiers surrounded and searched Leader Phuong's house. Hearing the commotion, Father Hoan escaped outside. The officials made Mr. Phuong kneel in the middle of the house to interrogate him about the priest's hiding place, but he remained completely silent. The soldiers searched and found prayer books, liturgical items, and religious artifacts. The officials ordered Mr. Phuong to receive 40 lashes and his youngest son Thang 80 lashes to force them to reveal any hidden wealth, then took Mr. Phuong to the provincial headquarters in Quang Binh.

Imprisoned for over 4 months in the Dong Hoi jail, enduring 4 interrogations with enticements to renounce his faith and trample on the Holy Cross image, each time receiving 30 lashes, but Mr. Phuong remained steadfastly faithful. The examining officer, feeling pity for Mr. Phuong's daughter, promised to help release him if he allowed his daughter to be married off, but he replied: "I will not give her away, unless you yourself embrace the faith! As for having to die for the faith, I am ready." Afterwards, the officials condemned Mr. Phuong for harboring a priest and sent the case to the capital.

On May 26, 1861, Leader Nguyen Van Phuong was taken to be executed by beheading at the Cua Thanh execution grounds in Quang Binh. He calmly knelt down, facing Father Hoan to receive the Sacrament of Penance. The faithful retrieved Leader Phuong's remains to be buried at the My Huong parish. Today, his relics are still preserved at the Carmelite order in the Archdiocese of Hue.

Leader Matthew Nguyen Van Phuong was beatified on May 2, 1909 and canonized on June 19, 1988.