Saint Paul Le Bao Tinh (1793 - 1857) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Paul Le Bao Tinh was born in 1793 in Trinh Ha village, Hoang Hoa district, Ha Trung province, Thanh Hoa province. In 1805, at the age of 12, he went to live with Father Due in Bạch Phat parish. After 3 years, he was sent to study at the Vinh Tri Seminary. Upon completing his studies, his superiors appointed him as a prefect and professor at the seminary.

Harboring a desire for a solitary life in the forest, in 1826 he decided to flee to the forest to live as a hermit. He found a cave where he spent a year in prayer and asceticism.

During the Easter celebration in 1827, knowing he would go to confession, Bishop Jacques Longer instructed the priests not to hear his confession and to persuade him to return. He disguised himself among the parishioners lining up for confession. Father Pierre Eyot recognized him and questioned him, but he answered skillfully. Finally, he confessed the truth to Father Tan. Heeding the advice, he realized God's will and decided to return to the seminary to continue his theological studies and teach Latin.

In 1837, he was sent to evangelize in Laos. In 1841, while teaching in Ke Dam parish, he was arrested and imprisoned for 7 years in Hanoi. In prison, on April 24, 1843, he wrote a letter of consolation to the priests and seminarians in Vinh Tri.

In 1847, King Thieu Tri commuted his sentence to life exile in Phu Yen. While awaiting exile, the king died, and King Tu Duc ascended the throne and granted him amnesty. In 1848, at the age of 56, he was ordained a deacon, then a priest, and became the Director of the Vinh Tri Seminary.

On February 27, 1857, he was arrested due to liturgical items found at the seminary. Before leaving, he prayed in the church and bade farewell to the seminarians. In prison, he strengthened the faith of believers. Twelve days before his execution, he wrote a letter in Latin to the seminarians.

On April 6, 1857, the death sentence was carried out at Bay Mau. His remains were buried at Vinh Tri, then in 1880 transferred to the Cathedral Church of So Kien, Ha Nam.

He was beatified on May 2, 1909 and canonized on June 19, 1988.