Saint Peter Đinh Văn Thuần - A Steadfast Fisherman Martyred Under the Reign of Tự Đức - Saints Martyred for the Faith in Vietnam
Saint Peter Đinh Văn Thuần was born in 1802 in the Đông Phú Christian community, in the parish of Trung Đồng, Kẻ Mèn, Thái Bình province. He worked as a fisherman for a living. Although his life was one of poverty, his family was always harmonious and focused on educating their children to live the Catholic faith. In his role as village chief, he diligently served the common good for both non-Christian and Christian villagers alike.

In August 1861, King Tự Đức's "Phân sáp" edict was issued, forcing everyone – young and old – to renounce their faith and step on the Crucifix. Those who refused would have the characters "tả đạo" (heretic) carved on their cheeks for easy identification. The property of believers, such as fields, gardens, houses, and livestock, was confiscated or destroyed.

By the spring of 1862, the persecution had spread throughout the Middle Diocese (now the Diocese of Bùi Chu). It was in this context that Mr. Thuần was arrested, taken to the district headquarters, and imprisoned in Ngọc Chí jail. Before the tribunal, despite enduring severe torture and being forced to trample on the Crucifix, he remained steadfast, strongly professing his faith in Christ.

However, in the summer of 1862, Mr. Thuần's spirit faltered, and he renounced his faith, trampling on an image of Christ. But thanks to the admonishment of his fellow prisoners, he repented, reaffirmed his faith, and placed his complete trust in God's mercy and forgiveness.

For his resolute refusal to deny his faith, on June 6, 1862, together with Saint Peter Đinh Văn Dũng, Mr. Peter Đinh Văn Thuần was locked into a narrow bamboo cage and burned alive during the reign of King Tự Đức. His remains were later reverently brought by the faithful and buried in the grounds of his hometown church in Đông Phú.

The fisherman Peter Đinh Văn Thuần was elevated to the ranks of the Blessed by Pope Pius XII on April 29, 1951, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.