Saint Matthew Nguyễn Văn Phượng: The Martyr Head of Congregation with an Unwavering Oath - The Holy Martyrs of Vietnam
In 1808, in the village of Kẻ Lái, Lý Nhơn, Quảng Bình province, a boy was born into the family of đội (military squad leader) Nguyễn Văn Bường. As he grew, bearing the given name Đắc—Phượng being the name of the eldest son—Matthew Nguyễn Văn Phượng was orphaned at a young age. At twelve, the boy Phượng began studying traditional medicine with thầy (master) Nhu, a lay healer.

By age fifteen, the young man from Kẻ Lái diligently assisted Father Nguyễn Thời Điểm. Impressed by his pious heart and industrious character, Father Điểm arranged for him to marry Miss Vốn, daughter of ông (Mr.) đội Khiêm, from a devout family of the Sáo Bùn congregation. Mr. Phượng moved in with his in-laws, practicing as a healer while he and his wife worked hard at trading to raise their eight children. His family was always warm and harmonious, devoting themselves to educating their children and fervently keeping the faith.

Not only tending to his household, Mr. Phượng also diligently visited, comforted, and treated the sick. He was ready to escort the priest to administer last rites, bringing the Holy Eucharist as "food for the journey" to dying faithful. The priests entrusted him and appointed him head of the Sáo Bùn congregation—responsible for leading daily prayers, teaching catechism to catechumens, and baptizing children in emergencies.

In January 1861, during a period of severe religious persecution, ông trùm (head of congregation) Phượng courageously received Father Đoạn Trinh Hoan, who had returned to administer the sacraments to the Sáo Bùn parishioners. But not long after, someone informed against him for reward. Government troops raided and searched his house. Hearing the commotion, Father Hoan managed to escape. Mr. Phượng, however, was forced to kneel in his home and endured fierce interrogation. He remained resolutely silent, refusing to disclose the priest's hiding place.

The soldiers ransacked the house and found prayer books, liturgical items, and religious articles. The official ordered Mr. Phượng beaten with 40 strokes, and his youngest son Thắng endured 80 strokes to force disclosure of hidden valuables. Thereafter, Mr. Phượng was transferred to the provincial court of Quảng Bình.

Over more than four months in Đồng Hới prison, ông trùm Phượng underwent four interrogations. Each time, he received thirty strokes with a rod, was tempted to abandon the faith, and pressured to trample on the image of the Holy Cross. Yet his heart remained unwavering. The court clerk, fond of the headman's daughter, promised to request his release if he would consent to marry her to him. Mr. Phượng replied: "I will not give her in marriage, unless you yourself convert! As for having to die for the faith, I am ready."

With this profession of faith, the final judgment was sent to the capital. On May 26, 1861, ông trùm Nguyễn Văn Phượng was led to the execution grounds at Cửa Thành, Quảng Bình. He silently knelt, his gaze directed toward Father Hoan to receive the Sacrament of Penance for the last time. His body was brought back by the faithful and buried at Mỹ Hương parish. His relics are currently preserved at the Carmelite convent, Archdiocese of Huế.

On May 2, 1909, ông trùm Matthew Nguyễn Văn Phượng was beatified. And on June 19, 1988, he was officially canonized.