Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi

Biography

Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi, also known as Peter Thi, Peter Thi Van Truong Pham, and Pietro Truong Van Thi, was a Catholic Priest who dedicated his life to spreading the message of the Gospel in Vietnam. He was born in the year 1763 in Ke So, a village located in Hanoi, Vietnam. Phêrô Truong Van Thi entered the priesthood and served in the apostolic vicariate of West Tonkin. To further his mission, he worked alongside other dedicated priests from the Foreign Mission Society of Paris. Together, they aimed to bring the teachings of Christianity to the Vietnamese people. Unfortunately, during the time that Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi served, Christians in Vietnam faced severe persecution. The emperor, Minh-Meng, held a strong opposition against Christianity and ordered the imprisonment and torture of those who followed the faith. Phêrô Truong Van Thi, along with many other faithful priests, endured great suffering for their beliefs. Despite the repeated tortures inflicted upon him, Phêrô Truong Van Thi never wavered in his devotion to God and the Catholic Church. He remained steadfast in his mission to spread the message of Christ's love and salvation. Tragically, Phêrô Truong Van Thi met his martyrdom on December 21, 1839, in Ô Cau Giay, Hanoi. He was beheaded as a result of his unwavering commitment to his faith. In recognition of his heroic witness to the Gospel and his courageous stand for Christ, Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi was venerated by Pope Leo XIII on July 2, 1899, through a decree of martyrdom. His beatification followed on May 27, 1900, also by Pope Leo XIII. Finally, on June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized him, declaring him a saint of the Catholic Church. Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi, along with Saint Andrew Dung Lac and other Vietnamese Martyrs, is celebrated on December 21 as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam. Their remarkable courage and faithfulness in the face of persecution serve as an inspiration to Catholics around the world. Though not specifically known as a patron saint for any particular cause, Saint Phêrô Truong Van Thi remains a powerful intercessor for all those who face oppression and persecution for their religious beliefs. His life and martyrdom remind us of the importance of standing strong in our faith and remaining steadfast in the face of adversity.