Saint Peter Vu Dang Khoa (1790 - 1838) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Peter Vu Dang Khoa was born in 1790 in Thuan Nghia village, Dien Chau prefecture, Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province. He was the third son in his family, intelligent and gentle in nature, and had a desire to live a dedicated life.

Initially, he was accepted to assist the priests. Afterwards, he was sent to study at the Vinh Tri Seminary, then transferred to the Huong Phuong College. Throughout his studies, he always followed school discipline, studied diligently and cultivated virtues. After completing his studies, Father Khoa was assigned to assist Father Nguyen Duc Khiem in Huong Phuong.

In 1820, Father Vu Dang Khoa was ordained a priest at the Vinh Tri Seminary. For the next 9 years, Father Khoa went to assist parishioners in parishes in Ninh Binh, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. In 1829, Bishop Harvard-Du appointed him as the parish priest of Kinh Nhuan, also called Con Dua.

Father Khoa was gentle in character, wholeheartedly served the parishioners, but was also very straightforward, so he was loved and respected by everyone. After more than 2 years as a parish priest, he had to flee persecution, hide and temporarily stay at the homes of parishioners. During this time, the priest still cared for and tended to his flock. He often secretly came to serve at the parishes, sometimes having to go out and help in the dark of night, under rain and storms.

Someone informed on Father Khoa's hiding place. On July 2, 1838, he was arrested along with two companions, Mr. Khang and Mr. Duc, at Le Son. Afterwards, they were taken to the district level then transferred to Dong Hoi province for detention. Here, the judge tortured Father Khoa many times but could not shake his silent stance.

Finally, out of fear of punishment, Mr. Khang revealed the hiding place of the missionary priests Dumoulin Borie-Cao, the elder Diem and Father Tu. According to Mr. Khang's testimony, on August 2, 1838, these priests were arrested and jailed together with Father Khoa in Dong Hoi.

On November 24, 1838, Father Khoa was sentenced to death by strangulation at the execution grounds outside Dong Hoi city under the reign of King Minh Mang. His remains were brought to the house of the teacher Nguyen in My Huong village, Le Thuy district and then buried at Ke Gom Congregation. Later, his remains were relocated and reburied in his homeland of Thuan Nghia.

Father Peter Vu Dang Khoa was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized on June 19, 1988.