St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions – Vietnamese Martyrs

This feast day commemorates 117 Vietnamese martyrs who died between 1820 and 1862. Persecution of Christians was severe during this time period. Missionaries were banned in Vietnam and Christians were required to deny their faith.

The group included bishops, priests, and lay-people. One of the martyrs was only 9 years old.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac

St. Andrew Dung-Lac was among this group of martyrs. He converted to the Catholic faith and became a priest.

Patron Saint of …

The Vietnamese martyrs are the patron saint of Vietnam.

Daily Mass Readings for the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Vietnamese Martyrs

In addition to the suggested readings below, the readings may also be taken from the weekday readings or the Common of Martyrs.

• First Reading – Wisdom 3:1-9: “Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 126: “Those who sow in tears, shall reap rejoicing.”
• Gospel – Matthew 10:17-22: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.”

Canonization of the Martyrs

Learn more about the canonization of these martyrs by Pope John Paul II.

Chinese Martyrs

A group of Chinese martyrs also died during this time period. This was also an attempt to keep Christianity from spreading in east Asia.