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18-05-2006, 08:56 PM
June 2
Saint Dominic NINH
Farmer
(1841-1862)
* Faith Stronger Than Death.
“The sense fears dangers which will bring pain and death. But with a strong and living faith, the sense will not frightened of anything for knowing in advance that anything, that happens, is God’s will, and God’s wishes only bring benefits. As such, anything that comes, happiness or sadness, health or sickness, life or death will be joyfully accepted and of course it becomes fearless.”
The preceding idea had been used by Fr. Charles de Foucault, founder of the Little Brothers of Jesus, to precisely describe Vietnamese martyrs. They knew in advance of the misery and suffering they had to face. But with the faith in God, they were fearless. Their courage in the face of earthly tyrannical power should be cherished forever. Saint Dominic Ninh is one of those heroes.
In 1841 the village of Trung Linh, Nam Định province, of the central vicariate of Tonkin (presently the diocese of Bùi Chu) welcomed the birth of Dominic Ninh. The village of Trung Linh was also Trung Linh parish, an all-Catholic village. The evangelization of Northern Vietnam started in Trung Linh where the chancery and the seminary were located.
Although he was just an ordinary and hard-working farmer, Dominic Ninh still tried to study the Nôm language or “Southern Script” (Vietnamese language derived from Chinese) hoping for a brighter future. He was admired as a good Christian. Sadly for him, his parents forced him to marry a girl from the village; and unwilling to hurt his parents’ feelings, he reluctantly agree to the marriage. But after the wedding he lived as if he was still single all the while maintaining an amicable relationship with her. Later, feeling remorseful for his decision, he repented by leading a religious life, especially bravely endured sufferings, and torments for faith and the love of God.
King Tự Đức’ edict of Separation and Integration of 8/5/1861 was executed thoroughly in Nam Định. Unlike other areas where Christians were allowed to sell their possessions, here they were arrested, bound together in groups of five, and allowed a little rice enough for two days.
* Courageous Young Man.
In 1862, at 21 years old, Dominic Ninh was arrested along with a few other Christians, imprisoned in various jails, and enticed, threatened, and tortured into renouncing their faith. The mandarin promised and forced Dominic Ninh to walk over the cross, but he replied bravely:
“If children cannot dishonor their parents, then how could Christians trample on the icon of the Creator of Heaven and Earth? Do whatever Your Honor wants, I will never offend my God’s crucifix.”
In the investigation for beatification cause of Dominic Ninh, Mrs. Rosa Hun had testified that: “5 saw him jailed in prison in Đông Vị, even though he was in yoke and heavy chains, he still remained happy and jovial.”
Facing Dominic Ninh’s bravery and determination, Governor Nguyễn Đình Tân sentenced him to death by decapitaion which was carried out on 6/2/1862 at the execution site in An Triêm, Nam Định province.
On 4/29/1951 in St. Peter Basilica at the Vatican, Dominic Ninh, a poor farmer and courageous Christian, was elevated to the rank of blessed by Pope Pius XII.
Hoàng Tôn Thất
Saint Dominic NINH
Farmer
(1841-1862)
* Faith Stronger Than Death.
“The sense fears dangers which will bring pain and death. But with a strong and living faith, the sense will not frightened of anything for knowing in advance that anything, that happens, is God’s will, and God’s wishes only bring benefits. As such, anything that comes, happiness or sadness, health or sickness, life or death will be joyfully accepted and of course it becomes fearless.”
The preceding idea had been used by Fr. Charles de Foucault, founder of the Little Brothers of Jesus, to precisely describe Vietnamese martyrs. They knew in advance of the misery and suffering they had to face. But with the faith in God, they were fearless. Their courage in the face of earthly tyrannical power should be cherished forever. Saint Dominic Ninh is one of those heroes.
In 1841 the village of Trung Linh, Nam Định province, of the central vicariate of Tonkin (presently the diocese of Bùi Chu) welcomed the birth of Dominic Ninh. The village of Trung Linh was also Trung Linh parish, an all-Catholic village. The evangelization of Northern Vietnam started in Trung Linh where the chancery and the seminary were located.
Although he was just an ordinary and hard-working farmer, Dominic Ninh still tried to study the Nôm language or “Southern Script” (Vietnamese language derived from Chinese) hoping for a brighter future. He was admired as a good Christian. Sadly for him, his parents forced him to marry a girl from the village; and unwilling to hurt his parents’ feelings, he reluctantly agree to the marriage. But after the wedding he lived as if he was still single all the while maintaining an amicable relationship with her. Later, feeling remorseful for his decision, he repented by leading a religious life, especially bravely endured sufferings, and torments for faith and the love of God.
King Tự Đức’ edict of Separation and Integration of 8/5/1861 was executed thoroughly in Nam Định. Unlike other areas where Christians were allowed to sell their possessions, here they were arrested, bound together in groups of five, and allowed a little rice enough for two days.
* Courageous Young Man.
In 1862, at 21 years old, Dominic Ninh was arrested along with a few other Christians, imprisoned in various jails, and enticed, threatened, and tortured into renouncing their faith. The mandarin promised and forced Dominic Ninh to walk over the cross, but he replied bravely:
“If children cannot dishonor their parents, then how could Christians trample on the icon of the Creator of Heaven and Earth? Do whatever Your Honor wants, I will never offend my God’s crucifix.”
In the investigation for beatification cause of Dominic Ninh, Mrs. Rosa Hun had testified that: “5 saw him jailed in prison in Đông Vị, even though he was in yoke and heavy chains, he still remained happy and jovial.”
Facing Dominic Ninh’s bravery and determination, Governor Nguyễn Đình Tân sentenced him to death by decapitaion which was carried out on 6/2/1862 at the execution site in An Triêm, Nam Định province.
On 4/29/1951 in St. Peter Basilica at the Vatican, Dominic Ninh, a poor farmer and courageous Christian, was elevated to the rank of blessed by Pope Pius XII.
Hoàng Tôn Thất