Saint Lucy The Chaste

Biography

Saint Giuse Nguyen Duy Khang, also known as Joseph Kang or Joseph Khang, was born around 1832 in Tra-Vinh, Nam-Dinh province, Vietnam. He was a devout Catholic and dedicated his life to serving God and the Church. Giuse became a Dominican tertiary and excelled as a catechist, sharing the teachings of the faith with others. During his time as a Christian, Giuse came into contact with Saint Jerome Hermosilla, a fellow Catholic who was imprisoned for his faith. Deeply moved by the sufferings of his fellow believer, Giuse made it his mission to help Saint Jerome escape from prison. With great courage and determination, he devised a plan to free Saint Jerome, fully aware of the dangers that awaited him. Unfortunately, Giuse's attempt to rescue Saint Jerome was unsuccessful. He was captured by the persecutors and subjected to intense physical torment in an attempt to break his faith. Lashed and tortured mercilessly, Giuse remained steadfast in his devotion to God and his commitment to the Church. On December 6, 1861, in the city of Hai Duong, Vietnam, Giuse met his martyrdom. He was beheaded for his unwavering faith, becoming a witness to the enduring power of belief in the face of persecution. After his death, the remarkable life and martyrdom of Saint Giuse Nguyen Duy Khang became widely known, inspiring many faithful Catholics. Recognizing his sacrifice and sanctity, Pope Pius X declared him venerable on June 24, 1905, through a decree of martyrdom. A year later, on May 20, 1906, Pope Pius X beatified him, affirming his blessed status as a martyr of the Church. Finally, on June 19, 1988, in a ceremony presided over by Pope John Paul II, Giuse was canonized, officially becoming a saint of the Catholic Church. Despite the lack of specific patronages associated with him, Saint Giuse Nguyen Duy Khang stands as a shining example of courage, resilience, and unwavering faith, inspiring generations of believers to live their lives in service to God and others.