Saint Nicola Bui Duc The (1792 - 1839) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

On May 17, 1792, Saint Nicola Bui Duc The was born in Kien Trung village, Xuan Truong prefecture, Nam Dinh province. Later, Kien Trung village became part of Trung Thanh parish in the Diocese of Bui Chu. In 1839, when The was 47 years old, he joined the military. However, just after one month, he was arrested for publicly professing himself as a Catholic.

In the fall of 1837, following the orders of King Minh Mang, the Governor-General summoned the soldiers and reiterated the prohibition against Catholicism. He set up two doors: on the right, a crucifix was placed on the ground, any soldier who stepped on the image could go home to their family; on the left were shackles and chains for those who refused to step on the crucifix. Most soldiers renounced their faith, only 15 chose the left door, including Nicola Bui Duc The. They were imprisoned in a dark jail.

After 8 months in prison, The was tortured with rattan whips and had his fingers beaten, but he remained steadfast in his faith. However, in a moment of weakness swayed by the Governor's enticements, The along with Dinh Van Dat and Phan Viet Huy accepted 10 coins to renounce their faith.

Afterwards, all three felt remorse. After praying and consulting with Fathers Tuyen and Nang, Bui Duc The and Phan Viet Huy decided to return to the capital Hue to submit petitions reaffirming their faith, after a grueling 20-day journey on foot. The two bravely blocked King Minh Mang's path to submit their petitions. The enraged king ordered them imprisoned.

On June 13, 1839, the witnesses of faith Nicola Bui Duc The and Phan Viet Huy were bravely beheaded by ax at the Thuan An gate in Hue.

On May 27, 1900, the witness of faith Nicola Bui Duc The was beatified. On June 19, 1988, he was canonized as a saint.

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