St. Vincent Phạm Hiếu Liêm (Hòa Bình – “Peace”)
Priest – Martyrdom date: November 7
“I ask Your Excellency and my Superior to pray to the Lord for me, that each day I may grow more perfect and willingly accept hardships in accordance with God’s holy will.”
St. Vincent Phạm Hiếu Liêm was born in 1732 in Đông Hamlet, Trà Lũ Village, Thiên Trường District, Sơn Nam Hạ Region (now part of Phú Nhai Parish, Bùi Chu Diocese). He was born into a devout Catholic family: his father, Mr. Antôn Doãn, was a respected local leader, and his mother was widely known for her virtue and dedication to raising her children in the faith.
At age twelve, he entered religious life. Due to his intelligence and piety, Brother Liêm was selected to study at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila. In 1754, he took his vows as a Dominican and received the religious name Vincent Hòa Bình (“Vincent Peace”). Ordained a priest in 1758, he returned to Vietnam and served as a teacher at Trung Linh Seminary while also carrying out pastoral work in several parishes, including Quất Lâm, Lục Thủy, Trung Lễ, Trung Lao, and the Lai Ổn area.
Father Liêm lived humbly and served his flock zealously, persevering tirelessly despite frequent danger. Though his missionary work yielded fruitful results, he remained steadfastly simple and humble in spirit.
In 1773, under Lord Trịnh Sâm’s regime, as authorities intensified their persecution of “Giatô” (Catholic) believers, Fr. Liêm was arrested on October 2, 1773, in Lương Đống Parish, along with two altar servers. After twelve days of imprisonment, he was transferred to the provincial mandarin of Hưng Yên.
In prison, he reunited with Fr. Jacinto Castañeda (Gia), who was also detained. Both were fitted with heavy cangues inscribed with the words “Hoa Lang Đạo Sư” (“Missionary Teacher from Holland”) and escorted to Thăng Long (present-day Hanoi).
There, a mandarin—uncle of Lord Trịnh Sâm—convened the “Council of Four Religions,” inviting representatives of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity to debate over three days on the origin of humankind, the meaning of life, and destiny after death.
Later, the mother of Lord Trịnh Sâm summoned the two priests to explain their faith. When she asked about the fate of those who did not follow Christianity, Fr. Liêm replied: “Your Ladyship, they descend into hell.” Enraged, she pressured her son to order their execution.
Fr. Vincent Phạm Hiếu Liêm was beheaded on November 7, 1773, at Đồng Mơ execution ground at the age of 41. His remains were brought back and buried at Trung Linh.
He was beatified by Pope Pius X on May 20, 1906, and canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.