Saint Thomas Ngô Túc Khuông
Priest and Martyr (1780–1860)
Feast Day: January 30

Born in 1780 in Nam Hòa village, Tiên Chu parish, Hưng Yên province, he was the son of a wealthy and high-ranking mandarin. Though raised in privilege, he felt an early calling to dedicate his life to God and was later ordained a priest. He joined the Dominican Third Order, becoming a holy, prudent, and devoted pastor, zealous in evangelization and especially devoted to the Rosary.

During the anti-Christian persecutions, Father Khuông continued his ministry discreetly. Thanks to his prudence and personal integrity, he earned the respect of many officials, which enabled him to serve the faithful in secret.

In 1859, when a group of Catholics from Cao Xá parish defended themselves against imperial troops, Father Khuông, disagreeing with the action, left the area and took refuge in Hải Phòng, within the Apostolic Vicariate of Đông Đàng Ngoài.

On the way, at the entrance of Trần Xá village bridge, he was arrested for steadfastly refusing to step on the Holy Cross. Several Catholic lay followers accompanying him were also imprisoned.

The provincial governor attempted to compel him to testify against the Catholics of Cao Xá, but Father Khuông firmly refused, declaring:
“The Catholic faith not only forbids its followers from opposing the government, but also encourages them to pray and contribute to the peace and prosperity of their homeland.”

When urged to persuade fellow believers to renounce their faith in exchange for freedom, he replied:
“I am now 80 years old. As a Catholic priest, I have always encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in the Holy Faith. Were I now to urge them to abandon it, I would be unworthy and unfit to serve as their pastor.”

On January 30, 1860, the sentence of beheading was carried out outside the citadel of Hưng Yên. On the way to the execution site, he walked leaning on a bamboo staff, at the top of which he had attached a short horizontal piece to form a cross. Upon arrival, he knelt in prayer and bowed his head to receive the sword.

Father Thomas Ngô Túc Khuông was beatified on April 29, 1951, and canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.