Saint Simon Phan Dac Hoa (1787 - 1840) - Vietnamese Martyr Saint

Saint Simon Phan Dac Hoa was born in 1774 in Mai Vinh village, Mong Thon parish, Thua Thien province. His parents were Mr. Thuc and Mrs. Dao, who did not follow the Catholic faith. Simon received the light of faith and was baptized at age 12 in 1786, taking the baptismal name Simon.
Simon was an intelligent and diligent boy. He studied Chinese characters, then assisted priests. Due to his wisdom and virtue, the priests chose to send him to seminary to study Latin.
However, facing some obstacles from his family, making it difficult to become a priest, the superiors advised Simon to return home. With a docile heart, Simon accepted God's will and thanked the priests who had taught him in seminary.
Afterwards, Simon learned traditional medicine and started a family with a virtuous young woman from Nhu Ly village. Their family lived in harmony. The couple had 12 children. Seeing Simon's exemplary life, the priests appointed him as head of the local Catholic community.

Simon's house was a refuge for Bishop Cuenot, Missionary Jaccard-Phan, and Bishop De la Motte. On the night of April 13, 1840, while escorting Bishop De la Motte to Hoa Ninh village, Simon's boat was discovered by the authorities. Soldiers pursued, arrested him and the Bishop, and took them to Duong Xuan district. They were then imprisoned for two months in Quang Tri before being transferred to Hue.
Simon and Bishop De la Motte were imprisoned and shackled in Quang Tri jail. Before the mandarin, Simon remained steadfastly loyal, not renouncing his faith.
On December 12, 1840, at the execution grounds of Cho An Hoa, near Doc So, Simon saw Father Ngon standing in the crowd. He silently bowed his head for confession, then calmly knelt on a mat and white blanket prepared by a parishioner. Simon Phan Dac Hoa was then executed for his faith.
Simon Phan Dac Hoa was beatified on May 27, 1900 and canonized as a saint on June 19, 1988.