Saint Paul Nguyen Ngan (1790 - 1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Paul Nguyen Ngan was born in 1790 in Cu Khanh parish, Thanh Hoa province. His father studied in the same class at the minor seminary with Father Joseph Nguyen Dinh Nghi's father, so he was around the same age or slightly older.
After being ordained a priest, Father Ngan was assigned to help in many parishes. During his time helping at the Phuc Nhac parish and surrounding parishes, he fell ill and had to return to Ke Vinh Rectory to recover for 7-8 years. When he regained his health, Father Ngan helped at the Trinh Xuyen parish for 3 years, then went to Ke Bang parish to assist his old classmate Father Nghi for 1 year before being arrested.
During the harsh persecution against Catholicism, Father Ngan did not dare stay at the rectory but had to take refuge in parishioners' homes, staying at one place today and another tomorrow. He felt very sad as he could not go to the parishioners or help in other places. Bishop Du praised Father Ngan as a zealous and diligent person who fulfilled his duties.

On the morning of April 29, 1840, Governor Trinh Quang Khanh and the mandarin of Thien Bon brought about 1000 soldiers to surround Ke Bang village to arrest Fathers Nghi, Ngan and Thinh. On April 30, 1840, they arrested Fathers Nghi and Ngan. The next day, they arrested Father Thinh.
The priests were taken to the provincial prison camp called La camp or the Superior Officer camp. From June 1 to June 7, 1840, the authorities continuously tortured and forced the three priests to step on the cross but failed.
On June 8, 1840, the authorities summoned the priests for interrogation like previous times. Father Nghi briefly replied: "Please, Your Excellency, we ask for your sword." The enraged mandarin ordered 40-50 lashes for Fathers Nghi and Ngan. From that day on, the authorities no longer summoned the priests.
On October 14, 1840, Governor Trinh Quang Khanh sentenced them to death and sought King Minh Mang's approval. Hearing the news, the priests forbade anyone to visit them or talk, and only prayed, examined their conscience and went to confession to prepare for death.
When taken to the execution ground on November 8, 1840, the three priests prayed together and received the Sacrament of Penance before being beheaded. The catechist brought Father Ngan's body to be buried in Ke Bang village. Father Nghi was buried on the right side and Father Ngan on the left of the altar.
Father Paul Nguyen Ngan was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized on June 19, 1988.