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28-01-2006, 01:05 PM
February 2
Saint John Théophane VÉNARD VEN
Society of Foreign Missions of Paris Priest
(1829-1861)
*The Never-Ending Smile.
The magazine “Bulletin des Partants,”[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftn1) in a special edition on the Paris Society of Foreign Missions, had painted the portrait of the young martyr, Fr. Théophane Vénard Ven, as followed:
“It must be said: when he was born, a rose appeared on his lips, a bird sang beside his ears. Because whenever he expressed his ideas, his words were filled with gentle and charming images. Childhood ties as well as later bonds were maintained and cherished.
His life was a song in happiness as well as sadness, from events during the school years to the dedication of the priesthood, He sang when he left France; he sang when he saw the Vietnamese coast...
In the long and frequent letters, he recounted to his family the details of his live. To him, the pastoral work was so comfortable, joyous, and lovable! He made everything sound poetic. To him, arduous work was easy, burden was light; illness did not deter him but a rewarding opportunity for relaxation; he described journeys through swamps, mountains or rocky trails in refreshing colors as springtime walks. He really was a lily with the strength of an oak tree.
We can only guess at his sufferings because he described them behind magnificent flowers which he never stopped planting and spreading everywhere until the end of his life. Those flowers bloomed in his works, in the tortures, in the bamboo cage, on the tools of torture, and right on the soil that absorbed his blood. Even the judge became friend; executioner admired him. To him, the saber cut was only “a flower softly cut to decorate the altar.”
*Looking For the Pearl of the Far East.
John Théophane Vénard Ven was born on November 21, 1829 in Saint-Loup-sur-Thuoet, in the city of Deux Sèvres, France. His father was Mr. John Vénard and his mother was Mrs. Marie Gueret. Vénard learned a lot from his father who taught and planted in him the seed of vocation, and sent him to study Latin from the pastor. His mother passed away when he was 14 years old. His sister, Mélanie, became the gentle mother-guardian who together with his father cared, offered encouragements during his seminary years, and later kept constant contact with him during his missionary journey.
(next)
Translated by Hoàng Tôn Thất
[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftnref1)Bulletin des Partants, p. 440, v. 14
Launay III, trang 419.
Saint John Théophane VÉNARD VEN
Society of Foreign Missions of Paris Priest
(1829-1861)
*The Never-Ending Smile.
The magazine “Bulletin des Partants,”[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftn1) in a special edition on the Paris Society of Foreign Missions, had painted the portrait of the young martyr, Fr. Théophane Vénard Ven, as followed:
“It must be said: when he was born, a rose appeared on his lips, a bird sang beside his ears. Because whenever he expressed his ideas, his words were filled with gentle and charming images. Childhood ties as well as later bonds were maintained and cherished.
His life was a song in happiness as well as sadness, from events during the school years to the dedication of the priesthood, He sang when he left France; he sang when he saw the Vietnamese coast...
In the long and frequent letters, he recounted to his family the details of his live. To him, the pastoral work was so comfortable, joyous, and lovable! He made everything sound poetic. To him, arduous work was easy, burden was light; illness did not deter him but a rewarding opportunity for relaxation; he described journeys through swamps, mountains or rocky trails in refreshing colors as springtime walks. He really was a lily with the strength of an oak tree.
We can only guess at his sufferings because he described them behind magnificent flowers which he never stopped planting and spreading everywhere until the end of his life. Those flowers bloomed in his works, in the tortures, in the bamboo cage, on the tools of torture, and right on the soil that absorbed his blood. Even the judge became friend; executioner admired him. To him, the saber cut was only “a flower softly cut to decorate the altar.”
*Looking For the Pearl of the Far East.
John Théophane Vénard Ven was born on November 21, 1829 in Saint-Loup-sur-Thuoet, in the city of Deux Sèvres, France. His father was Mr. John Vénard and his mother was Mrs. Marie Gueret. Vénard learned a lot from his father who taught and planted in him the seed of vocation, and sent him to study Latin from the pastor. His mother passed away when he was 14 years old. His sister, Mélanie, became the gentle mother-guardian who together with his father cared, offered encouragements during his seminary years, and later kept constant contact with him during his missionary journey.
(next)
Translated by Hoàng Tôn Thất
[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftnref1)Bulletin des Partants, p. 440, v. 14
Launay III, trang 419.