Saint Paul Nguyễn Ngân: A Priest Martyr for His Loyalty to God Amidst a Time of Religious Persecution - The Saints Martyred for the Faith in Vietnam
Saint Paul Nguyễn Ngân was born in 1790 in the Cự Khanh parish, Thanh Hóa province. He studied in the same class at the minor seminary as Father Joseph Nguyễn Đình Nghi, so he may have been older than or the same age as this classmate.

After his priestly ordination, Father Ngân was sent to assist in many parishes. While serving the Phúc Nhạc parish and its neighboring congregations, he fell seriously ill and had to return to the Kẻ Vĩnh Major Seminary to convalesce for about seven to eight years. Once recovered, Father Ngân continued his mission at the Trình Xuyên parish for three years, then moved down to the Kẻ Báng parish to assist Father Nghi – his close friend from school – for about a year before his arrest.

During the harsh period of religious persecution, Father Ngân dared not stay at the parish house but had to continually take refuge in the homes of parishioners, "one place today, another tomorrow." This greatly saddened him, and he often lamented: "With the king banning the faith so severely, the faithful cannot come to the priest, and the priest cannot go to help the various places." Bishop Du once remarked that Father Ngân was a good and diligent man who faithfully fulfilled his duties.

On the morning of April 29, 1840, Viceroy Trịnh Quang Khanh along with Prefect Thiên Bổn led about a thousand soldiers to surround Kẻ Báng village intending to arrest Father Nghi, Father Ngân, and Father Thịnh. The next day, April 30, Father Nghi and Father Ngân were captured. By May 1, Father Thịnh also fell into the net.

The three priests were taken to the provincial capital and imprisoned at Lá camp – also called the official's superior camp. From June 1 to 7, 1840, officials continuously tortured them, forcing them to trample on a crucifix, but all attempts failed.

On June 8, the officials summoned the three fathers for questioning again. Father Nghi candidly stated: "Your Excellency, we ask of Your Excellency a moment of the sword." The official became enraged and ordered Father Nghi and Father Ngân to be beaten forty or fifty lashes each. From then on, the officials no longer called them out, knowing clearly they could not force or entice them to renounce their faith. They promptly drew up the sentencing documents and imprisoned the three fathers in the dungeon.

On October 14, 1840, Viceroy Trịnh Quang Khanh pronounced the death sentence and sent it to King Minh Mạng for approval. Upon hearing the news, the three fathers decided not to allow anyone to visit, nor to speak with anyone anymore, focusing solely on praying, examining their consciences, confessing, and preparing themselves for death.

On the morning of November 8, 1840, at the execution ground, the three fathers received the Sacrament of Penance and prayed together. All three were beheaded. Afterwards, Brother Sự took Father Ngân's remains down to a boat to transport them back to Kẻ Báng village. Father Nghi was buried on the right side, Father Ngân on the left side of the altar.

Priest Paul Nguyễn Ngân was elevated to the rank of Blessed by Pope Leo XIII on May 27, 1900, and was canonized a Saint by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.