Saint Peter Nguyen Van Luu (1812 - 1861) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Peter Nguyen Van Luu was born on December 18, 1812 in Go Vap, Gia Dinh province. He dedicated himself to God at an early age. He was sent to study at the Penang Seminary in Malaysia and was later ordained a priest. Upon returning to Vietnam, Father Luu took on the responsibility of caring for the parishes in Mac Bac, Sa Dec, and My Tho. Father Luu was always dedicated to teaching the catechism, frequently visiting each family in the parishes to encourage and guide them in their faith life. The parishioners deeply respected him and always listened to his advice and teachings.
To get closer to the people in the water-rich Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, at times Father Luu would even drink wine to follow local customs. However, one day while on a river boat, as Father Luu was inviting Father Thuyet from a nearby boat to have some drinks, Father Thuyet firmly declined and explained the harms of alcohol. At that moment, Father Luu threw the wine bottle into the river and vowed never to drink again. For the rest of his life, he faithfully kept this vow.
In the spring of 1853, while serving at the Mac Bac parish, Father Luu was transferred to minister at the Ba Giong parish near My Tho. In the winter of 1860, he frequently disguised himself to visit imprisoned and shackled parishioners from the Xoai Mut and Ba Giong areas who were jailed for their faith. Father brought the Holy Eucharist to console them and strengthen their faith.

When discovered, Father Luu courageously identified himself as the leader of the religion. He was arrested, tortured, whipped, and subjected to severe punishments in prison along with the parishioners. Despite the savage torture, Father remained steadfast in professing his faith, firmly responding to the magistrate's questions in court: "The Holy Religion has penetrated deep into my bones and marrow, I cannot abandon it. Moreover, if an ordinary parishioner or catechist has no right to abandon the religion, then as the leader, I certainly cannot do so."
In the end, Father Luu was sentenced to death by beheading. The sentence was carried out on April 7, 1861 at the execution grounds outside the city of My Tho. The faithful brought his remains, along with the shackles and a bloodstained earthen jar, to be buried at the Ba Giong parish. The My Tho Diocese later honored him as its patron saint.
Later, Father Peter Nguyen Van Luu was beatified on May 2, 1909 and canonized on June 19, 1988.