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02-03-2006, 12:53 PM
May 2
Saint Joseph NGUYỄN VĂN LỰU
President of the Parish Pastoral Council
(1790-1854)
* A Good Life
64 years of life with untold memories, happiness, and love, 64 years of life with innumerable responsibilities and work intertwined with hardship, hunger, thirst and sickness like any normal person, Mr. Joseph Lựu thanked God for those 64 years, and then waited for the last moment to give back to God the remainder of his life. His last moment came quicker than he had expected. After being tortured in a dark cell, he clearly saw his time was slowly coming to the end; after sixty-four years as God’s son, now left with a his last breath, he also wanted to offer it to Him. He grasped onto the wall trying to hoist himself up, then raised his head toward the heaven to call out the most holy name Jesus, and Mary three times before he collapsed, completing 64 years of life on earth.
* Live to Serve
Born in 1790 in Cái Nhum parish, Vĩnh Long province, since his early age, Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu had been imbued with a Piusus Catholic tradition. As a result, after getting married Joseph Lựu had provided his family with a dignified tradition, a warm and loving home steeped in Christian values.
Elected as the president of the parish council by fellow parishioners, he quickly showed that he merited their confidence and respect. Especially he had the unique talent to solve conflicts; with his credibility, he discussed the issues with the individuals and then used the words of the Gospel to ask those involved to forgive and to reconcile their differences. Moreover, he demonstrated a dedication to Christian ministry: collaborating with priests in the affairs of the parish, caring for children and assisting the poor. He even offered his land for the construction of a convent. Mr. Joseph Lựu’s live was like that of the loyal servants who invested wisely the money given by God.
Dangers brought on by the edicts of persecution never deterred Mr. Joseph Lựu. Confronted with perils, he continued to arrange sanctuary for priests so that they could celebrate and provide sacraments to Catholics.
* Iron Will
On 2/26/1853 the authority raided Mặc Bắc village to arrest Fr. Lựu (actually Fr. Minh had replaced Fr. Lựu without the awareness of the authority,) but at that moment, Mr. Joseph Lựu bravely said: “Gentlemen, Fr. Lựu is not here. Lựu is my name and I am the president of parish pastoral council.” Seeing him with the appearance of a poor farmer and not of a priest, soldiers continued their search. Knowing that he could hide no longer, Fr. Minh gave himself up. Together with Fr. Minh, Mr. Joseph Lựu and six other parishioners were taken to Vĩnh Long province.
In prison, four parishioners capitulated under tortures. These weak persons betrayed not only God but they also accused Mr. Joseph Lựu of welcoming and providing refuge to the priest. He blamed him for their misery and hardship. On the other hand, Mr. Joseph Lựu maintained his faith in God and accepted their mockery as well as sufferings humbly as a penance for all his sins. He willingly accepted all because of his belief and total trust in God. His confiding words to the priest jail mate showed his unbreakable faith and his sacrifice: “Father, please pray that God give me the necessary strength and courage. I am about to be banished, I want to entrust to God all I have; I am willing to offer Him the greatest sacrifice which is my family. God will take care of them.”
There is nothing greater than the love of God who is Love.
* Rest In God...
In the end prison and tortures only triumphed over the physical body. Because of his old age, illness, cangue and shackles, Mr. Joseph Lựu drew his last breath on the eve of 5/2/1854. The loyal witness had commendably received the palm of martyrdom without being executed.
The burial of Mr. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu was a unique event during the period of strict Christian persecution. Ignoring all perils, four priests and approximately 2000 Catholics celebrated his funeral Mass and then buried his remains right in the church of Mặc Bắc.
Pope Pius X elevated Mr. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu to the rank of blessed on 5/2/1909.
Hoàng Tôn Thất
Saint Joseph NGUYỄN VĂN LỰU
President of the Parish Pastoral Council
(1790-1854)
* A Good Life
64 years of life with untold memories, happiness, and love, 64 years of life with innumerable responsibilities and work intertwined with hardship, hunger, thirst and sickness like any normal person, Mr. Joseph Lựu thanked God for those 64 years, and then waited for the last moment to give back to God the remainder of his life. His last moment came quicker than he had expected. After being tortured in a dark cell, he clearly saw his time was slowly coming to the end; after sixty-four years as God’s son, now left with a his last breath, he also wanted to offer it to Him. He grasped onto the wall trying to hoist himself up, then raised his head toward the heaven to call out the most holy name Jesus, and Mary three times before he collapsed, completing 64 years of life on earth.
* Live to Serve
Born in 1790 in Cái Nhum parish, Vĩnh Long province, since his early age, Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu had been imbued with a Piusus Catholic tradition. As a result, after getting married Joseph Lựu had provided his family with a dignified tradition, a warm and loving home steeped in Christian values.
Elected as the president of the parish council by fellow parishioners, he quickly showed that he merited their confidence and respect. Especially he had the unique talent to solve conflicts; with his credibility, he discussed the issues with the individuals and then used the words of the Gospel to ask those involved to forgive and to reconcile their differences. Moreover, he demonstrated a dedication to Christian ministry: collaborating with priests in the affairs of the parish, caring for children and assisting the poor. He even offered his land for the construction of a convent. Mr. Joseph Lựu’s live was like that of the loyal servants who invested wisely the money given by God.
Dangers brought on by the edicts of persecution never deterred Mr. Joseph Lựu. Confronted with perils, he continued to arrange sanctuary for priests so that they could celebrate and provide sacraments to Catholics.
* Iron Will
On 2/26/1853 the authority raided Mặc Bắc village to arrest Fr. Lựu (actually Fr. Minh had replaced Fr. Lựu without the awareness of the authority,) but at that moment, Mr. Joseph Lựu bravely said: “Gentlemen, Fr. Lựu is not here. Lựu is my name and I am the president of parish pastoral council.” Seeing him with the appearance of a poor farmer and not of a priest, soldiers continued their search. Knowing that he could hide no longer, Fr. Minh gave himself up. Together with Fr. Minh, Mr. Joseph Lựu and six other parishioners were taken to Vĩnh Long province.
In prison, four parishioners capitulated under tortures. These weak persons betrayed not only God but they also accused Mr. Joseph Lựu of welcoming and providing refuge to the priest. He blamed him for their misery and hardship. On the other hand, Mr. Joseph Lựu maintained his faith in God and accepted their mockery as well as sufferings humbly as a penance for all his sins. He willingly accepted all because of his belief and total trust in God. His confiding words to the priest jail mate showed his unbreakable faith and his sacrifice: “Father, please pray that God give me the necessary strength and courage. I am about to be banished, I want to entrust to God all I have; I am willing to offer Him the greatest sacrifice which is my family. God will take care of them.”
There is nothing greater than the love of God who is Love.
* Rest In God...
In the end prison and tortures only triumphed over the physical body. Because of his old age, illness, cangue and shackles, Mr. Joseph Lựu drew his last breath on the eve of 5/2/1854. The loyal witness had commendably received the palm of martyrdom without being executed.
The burial of Mr. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu was a unique event during the period of strict Christian persecution. Ignoring all perils, four priests and approximately 2000 Catholics celebrated his funeral Mass and then buried his remains right in the church of Mặc Bắc.
Pope Pius X elevated Mr. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Lựu to the rank of blessed on 5/2/1909.
Hoàng Tôn Thất