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06-04-2006, 09:20 PM
May 26
Saint John ĐOÀN TRINH HOAN
Priest
(1798-1861)
Following Christ
Christ had died to save the world. Saint John Hoan had recognized that martyrdom was the perfect way to follow in the example of Christ and he willingly welcomed it. In his last days, He used St. Paul’s words to advise fellow inmates: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1Corintians 11: 1.) When your turn is up, just follow the path of suffering I am about to go on.”
John Đoàn Trinh Hoan was born in 1798 in the community of Kim Long, Phú Xuân (Huế), into a devout and accomplished family. With family support, he offered his life to God and studied at the Paris Society of Foreign Missions’ seminary in Penang, Malaysia. In 1836, Deacon John Hoan repatriated and was ordained a priest in Saigon.
For the Ministry
During his 26 years of priesthood, Fr. John Hoan ministered at many parishes. He was full of energy, but cautious, calm and affectionate. Moreover, because of his charming talks, he was adored. During King Tự Đức’s reign, he was one of the most admired Vietnamese priests due to his talents, age, and vast experiences. Despite constant relocation due to persecution, in fact he spent more time on boat than on land, he patiently worked to develop catechists and increase vocations among young men. He guided and helped many men join the seminary of the diocese.
Early 1861 on the Feast of Epiphany, Fr. John Hoan went to Sáo Bùn parish (Quảng Bình) to visit, hear confessions and to celebrate Mass. Like previous visits, he stayed at the home of the parish pastoral council president, Mr. Phượng. On evening on January 3, informed of his presence, the to the house. The priest ran to the river searching for escape routes; unfortunately he ran into soldiers where he was arrested and taken to Đồng Hới. He was 63 years old.
At the tribunal, the governor had him scourged severely. He had the priest flogged, pinched by red-hot clamps, and forced to walk over the cross and to reveal information about the Church. However, the governor failed miserably. Pained and exhausted, Fr. John Hoan gnawed his teeth and uttered not a word, not revealing a single house here he took refuge nor renouncing his faith. Mr. Phượng and seven other Sáo Bùn parishioners arrested also followed the priest’s example in not giving up any details that might incriminate others. Fr. John Hoan and Mr. Phượng were condemned to death while the rest was sentenced to life banishment.
In jail, Fr. John Hoan encountered many Catholics who were arrested during the persecution campaign in October 1859 and the jail in Huế was the place where prisoners older than 50 were held. The king had planned to use the inmates as bargain chips with the French to make them withdraw their naval vessels from the port of Hàn. With his interpersonal skills, Fr. John Hoan had won the sympathy of the prison guards, so he could easily moved around in jail to visit fellow Catholic inmates in other cells.
During his five months in prison, he spent a lot of time hearing confessions, blessed, and inspired jailed Catholics. He shared communions smuggled in to his fellow Catholic inmates. It was a touching scene of an old priest carrying a cangue around his neck, death sentence oh his head, and shackles around his ankles, giving encouragement to each prisoner and handing them the ”God’s Food.” It was this life-giving bread and sacred food that gave the prisoners strength for the journey to Father’s home.
On May 25, the day before his execution, the shepherd made one more round in jail to visit and console his fellow prisoners:
“My last hour is not far. For your part, my beloved children, you remain in this misery world, be faithful till the end. Please pray that I complete God’s will.”
After hearing the sentence, he said: “Thanks to God for forewarning me the hour of my death for Your sake.”
Under the Shadow of the Queen of Martyrs
That night he stayed up late to cheer his fellow prisoners and heard their confessions. The following morning, prisoners from other cells were allowed to come and said goodbye, the priest said: “Brothers, I dare borrow St. John’s words to tell you that: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The priest and fellow inmates joyfully talked until being ordered to go to the execution site. The priest quickly rose, the heavy cangue still around his neck, followed the prison warden.
At the jail entrance, the priest met with Mr. Phượng who was also led out to be executed. A soldier holding the sentence tablet at the front of the procession announced: “This person is named Hoan, Catholic priest, who taught heresy and lured the people. Violating the laws is a capital crime. Must be beheaded.” At the execution site, the two prisoners knelt on the mat. The mandarin asked if the priest wanted to be tied to a stake, he replied: “Not necessary, I will kneel tightly and will not move. If I do not willingly accept death, I would not come here. Please allow me a few minutes to pray.”
Then, he raised his heads to the heaven to give thanks to God, gave absolution to Mr. Phượng and signaled his readiness. Seeing Fr. John Hoan’s courage the designated executioner realized that he was innocent, so he gave up his duty to a fellow executioner whose inexperience required him three tries to severe the priest’s head.
Before the execution, when Fr. John Hoan removed his habit, a soldier saw the Scapular of Our Lady that he was wearing, and thought it was something valuable, so he asked for it. But Christ’s witness replied: “I cannot give this one to anybody. This is the icon of the Blessed Mother who is also my Queen. ”
Now the martyr was welcomed to Heaven to meet The Blessed Mary, the Queen of martyrs that he had always adored.
Pope Pius X elevated Fr. John Đoàn Trinh Hoan to the rank of blessed on 5/2/1909.
Hoàng Tôn Thất
Saint John ĐOÀN TRINH HOAN
Priest
(1798-1861)
Following Christ
Christ had died to save the world. Saint John Hoan had recognized that martyrdom was the perfect way to follow in the example of Christ and he willingly welcomed it. In his last days, He used St. Paul’s words to advise fellow inmates: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1Corintians 11: 1.) When your turn is up, just follow the path of suffering I am about to go on.”
John Đoàn Trinh Hoan was born in 1798 in the community of Kim Long, Phú Xuân (Huế), into a devout and accomplished family. With family support, he offered his life to God and studied at the Paris Society of Foreign Missions’ seminary in Penang, Malaysia. In 1836, Deacon John Hoan repatriated and was ordained a priest in Saigon.
For the Ministry
During his 26 years of priesthood, Fr. John Hoan ministered at many parishes. He was full of energy, but cautious, calm and affectionate. Moreover, because of his charming talks, he was adored. During King Tự Đức’s reign, he was one of the most admired Vietnamese priests due to his talents, age, and vast experiences. Despite constant relocation due to persecution, in fact he spent more time on boat than on land, he patiently worked to develop catechists and increase vocations among young men. He guided and helped many men join the seminary of the diocese.
Early 1861 on the Feast of Epiphany, Fr. John Hoan went to Sáo Bùn parish (Quảng Bình) to visit, hear confessions and to celebrate Mass. Like previous visits, he stayed at the home of the parish pastoral council president, Mr. Phượng. On evening on January 3, informed of his presence, the to the house. The priest ran to the river searching for escape routes; unfortunately he ran into soldiers where he was arrested and taken to Đồng Hới. He was 63 years old.
At the tribunal, the governor had him scourged severely. He had the priest flogged, pinched by red-hot clamps, and forced to walk over the cross and to reveal information about the Church. However, the governor failed miserably. Pained and exhausted, Fr. John Hoan gnawed his teeth and uttered not a word, not revealing a single house here he took refuge nor renouncing his faith. Mr. Phượng and seven other Sáo Bùn parishioners arrested also followed the priest’s example in not giving up any details that might incriminate others. Fr. John Hoan and Mr. Phượng were condemned to death while the rest was sentenced to life banishment.
In jail, Fr. John Hoan encountered many Catholics who were arrested during the persecution campaign in October 1859 and the jail in Huế was the place where prisoners older than 50 were held. The king had planned to use the inmates as bargain chips with the French to make them withdraw their naval vessels from the port of Hàn. With his interpersonal skills, Fr. John Hoan had won the sympathy of the prison guards, so he could easily moved around in jail to visit fellow Catholic inmates in other cells.
During his five months in prison, he spent a lot of time hearing confessions, blessed, and inspired jailed Catholics. He shared communions smuggled in to his fellow Catholic inmates. It was a touching scene of an old priest carrying a cangue around his neck, death sentence oh his head, and shackles around his ankles, giving encouragement to each prisoner and handing them the ”God’s Food.” It was this life-giving bread and sacred food that gave the prisoners strength for the journey to Father’s home.
On May 25, the day before his execution, the shepherd made one more round in jail to visit and console his fellow prisoners:
“My last hour is not far. For your part, my beloved children, you remain in this misery world, be faithful till the end. Please pray that I complete God’s will.”
After hearing the sentence, he said: “Thanks to God for forewarning me the hour of my death for Your sake.”
Under the Shadow of the Queen of Martyrs
That night he stayed up late to cheer his fellow prisoners and heard their confessions. The following morning, prisoners from other cells were allowed to come and said goodbye, the priest said: “Brothers, I dare borrow St. John’s words to tell you that: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The priest and fellow inmates joyfully talked until being ordered to go to the execution site. The priest quickly rose, the heavy cangue still around his neck, followed the prison warden.
At the jail entrance, the priest met with Mr. Phượng who was also led out to be executed. A soldier holding the sentence tablet at the front of the procession announced: “This person is named Hoan, Catholic priest, who taught heresy and lured the people. Violating the laws is a capital crime. Must be beheaded.” At the execution site, the two prisoners knelt on the mat. The mandarin asked if the priest wanted to be tied to a stake, he replied: “Not necessary, I will kneel tightly and will not move. If I do not willingly accept death, I would not come here. Please allow me a few minutes to pray.”
Then, he raised his heads to the heaven to give thanks to God, gave absolution to Mr. Phượng and signaled his readiness. Seeing Fr. John Hoan’s courage the designated executioner realized that he was innocent, so he gave up his duty to a fellow executioner whose inexperience required him three tries to severe the priest’s head.
Before the execution, when Fr. John Hoan removed his habit, a soldier saw the Scapular of Our Lady that he was wearing, and thought it was something valuable, so he asked for it. But Christ’s witness replied: “I cannot give this one to anybody. This is the icon of the Blessed Mother who is also my Queen. ”
Now the martyr was welcomed to Heaven to meet The Blessed Mary, the Queen of martyrs that he had always adored.
Pope Pius X elevated Fr. John Đoàn Trinh Hoan to the rank of blessed on 5/2/1909.
Hoàng Tôn Thất