Saint Paul Trần Văn Hạnh – A Defiant Witness of the Faith - The Saints and Martyrs of Vietnam
Saint Paul Trần Văn Hạnh was born in 1827 in Tân Triều village, Biên Hòa. When Emperor Minh Mạng issued the edict banning the faith on January 6, 1833, his family had to leave their homeland and seek refuge in Chợ Quán parish.

During those turbulent times, Hạnh had a defiant and daring temperament and had once lived like a reckless figure in the outlaw world. Public opinion spread unfavorable rumors about him, because he associated with people who specialized in swindling and oppressing the vulnerable. However, the Catholic faith he had received from childhood continued to grow silently in his soul.

One time, he encountered a gang of ruffians bullying a young woman. He immediately acted chivalrously, rescued the girl, and forced them to return her property. From then on, the gang considered him an enemy and sought revenge. Knowing he was a believer, they reported him to the authorities.

Hạnh was arrested, interrogated, and accused of following the Western invaders. He firmly denied this, only affirming that he was a Catholic. The mandarin ordered cruel torture to force him to admit to treason and to step on the Cross. But despite the extreme torment, he remained unshaken, professing only these words: "I am a Christian. I will never renounce my faith."

Faced with such steadfast resolve, the mandarin ordered his execution by beheading. On May 28, 1859, during the reign of Emperor Tự Đức, the witness of faith Trần Văn Hạnh was beheaded at Chí Hòa, at just 32 years of age.

The witness of faith Paul Trần Văn Hạnh was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIII on February 13, 1879, was beatified by Pope Pius X on May 27, 1909, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.