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29-05-2006, 10:38 AM
Saint Lucas VŨ BÁ LOAN
Priest
(1756-1840)
The martyrdom of Saint Lucas Loan, the elder (84 years old) among the 117 initial Vietnamese saints, is one of the most concrete evidence of the fallacy of the death sentences. He was executed only by royal decree while local authorities all respected the gentle and gray-haired priest of 84. From the district magistrate, mandarin of justice, to prison guards, all called him by the title “cụ”, and treated him very humanely: during the five months of jail time, he was not subjected to beating nor cangue. On the day of execution, two soldiers volunteered to carry him to the execution site on a stretcher. All ten executioners with the responsibility to carry out the execution did not show up even though they knew they would be punished for derelict of duty; the eleven executioners only carried out the execution after asking for pardon and saying that he was forced.
* Priestly Life of Prayers
Lucas Vũ Bá Loan was born in 1756 in the community of Bút Quai, in the parish of Bút Đông, in the vicariate of West Tonkin. Since the early age, he had offered his life to God, and then studied for the priesthood at Phú Đa and Kẻ Bèo. After his ordination, he worked at Nam Sang parish for six months, then went to help the elderly priest Liêm at Kẻ Vồi parish. In 1828, when Bishop Longer Gia split Kẻ Vồi in two, Fr. Lucas Loan was assigned to the newly created parish, Kẻ Sở, until his arrest. During his ministry, all who knew him learned a lesson on virtues, especially the love of God, dedication to serve Christians, and his simple lifestyle.
Fr. Lucas Loan concentrated on teachings. During Lent, he preached three times a day. His homilies were short, concise, simple and easy to understand, but practical with valuable advices applicable to daily living. He seldom used reasoning; he preached using his personal experiences with god whom he met during his daily activities and Mass.
When he prayed, he seemed to be transfixed, oblivious to surrounding activities, even nearby noise would not interrupt his encounter with the Divine. He never fails to celebrate Mass. His Masses were always solemn, respectful, and serene. A catechist advised him to shorten the Mass like other priests, he explained:
“Impossible, my son! Mass is the most important thing in this world. Nothing is worth hurrying Mass for. Worship has to be respectful and solemn.”
His Mass did not end at the blessing of “Go in peace,” he usually knelt for a long time before the sacristy to give thanks to God.
What did Fr. Lucas Loan say to God? Only God knew. Did he ask God for help with his homilies, or pray for parishioners, the Church and the country...? It was certain: parallel with his prayers, he often visited the poor and the sick; he raised several good boys to prepare them for the priesthood; and counseled parishioners to live compassionately with others, pagans as well as Christians.
Another special trait was the humility in delivering services. When the bishop assigned an associate pastor to Kẻ Sở, he showed confidence, gave encouragement and support; he told the associate pastor: “I entrust everything to you. I am old and slow. Please look after the properties, workers and even me.” Although parishioners readily provided for all his needs, Fr. Lucas Loan placed limits on himself, desiring to practice poverty like Lord Jesus. He worn out clothes before he wore new one, he ate the same food as other parishioners, if a sumptuous meal were prepared for him, he would protest immediately. Bishop Jeantet Khiêm heaped praises on him: “Looking back at the deeds Fr. Loan had done since his ordination until his martyrdom, I believe that, among the Vietnamese priests, probably no one could be compared to him...”
* Deceived By Crooks
Two pagan men, Mr. Kiểng of Bún village and Mr. Đô Cang of Vồi, who were awaiting trials, conspired to arrest Fr. Lucas Loan in the hope of gaining leniency. On the night of 1/10/1840 as the priest finished dinner at the community of Kẻ Chuôn, the two pretended to be guests coming to visit the priest, then invited him to go aboard their boat in which they took him to the community of Bún. As parishioners heard of his arrest, they negotiated with the kidnappers to buy his freedom for which the two men demanded 2000 piasters. Fr. Lucas Loan, for his love of the poor Christians, explained to the two criminals: “It may be arranged if you demand 200 piasters; demanding money in the thousand is impossible.” Mr. Kiểng wanted to reduce the demand, but Mr. Đô Cang disagreed because he wanted to hand the priest in to obtain a reduced sentence.
The two brought Fr. Lucas Loan to Phú Xuyên district magistrate who refused to take the priest, so they had to take the priest to Thăng Long (Hanoi). Arrived at the tribunal, the governor pointed to the two men, and scolded: “Stupid bunch, how could you have the heart to arrest a gentle and devout man who is your grandfathers’ age?” Nevertheless, since King Minh Mạng had ordered the persecution plus the fact that Fr. Lucas Loan’s arrest had been made public, the governor had no other choice but to jail the priest.
Priest
(1756-1840)
The martyrdom of Saint Lucas Loan, the elder (84 years old) among the 117 initial Vietnamese saints, is one of the most concrete evidence of the fallacy of the death sentences. He was executed only by royal decree while local authorities all respected the gentle and gray-haired priest of 84. From the district magistrate, mandarin of justice, to prison guards, all called him by the title “cụ”, and treated him very humanely: during the five months of jail time, he was not subjected to beating nor cangue. On the day of execution, two soldiers volunteered to carry him to the execution site on a stretcher. All ten executioners with the responsibility to carry out the execution did not show up even though they knew they would be punished for derelict of duty; the eleven executioners only carried out the execution after asking for pardon and saying that he was forced.
* Priestly Life of Prayers
Lucas Vũ Bá Loan was born in 1756 in the community of Bút Quai, in the parish of Bút Đông, in the vicariate of West Tonkin. Since the early age, he had offered his life to God, and then studied for the priesthood at Phú Đa and Kẻ Bèo. After his ordination, he worked at Nam Sang parish for six months, then went to help the elderly priest Liêm at Kẻ Vồi parish. In 1828, when Bishop Longer Gia split Kẻ Vồi in two, Fr. Lucas Loan was assigned to the newly created parish, Kẻ Sở, until his arrest. During his ministry, all who knew him learned a lesson on virtues, especially the love of God, dedication to serve Christians, and his simple lifestyle.
Fr. Lucas Loan concentrated on teachings. During Lent, he preached three times a day. His homilies were short, concise, simple and easy to understand, but practical with valuable advices applicable to daily living. He seldom used reasoning; he preached using his personal experiences with god whom he met during his daily activities and Mass.
When he prayed, he seemed to be transfixed, oblivious to surrounding activities, even nearby noise would not interrupt his encounter with the Divine. He never fails to celebrate Mass. His Masses were always solemn, respectful, and serene. A catechist advised him to shorten the Mass like other priests, he explained:
“Impossible, my son! Mass is the most important thing in this world. Nothing is worth hurrying Mass for. Worship has to be respectful and solemn.”
His Mass did not end at the blessing of “Go in peace,” he usually knelt for a long time before the sacristy to give thanks to God.
What did Fr. Lucas Loan say to God? Only God knew. Did he ask God for help with his homilies, or pray for parishioners, the Church and the country...? It was certain: parallel with his prayers, he often visited the poor and the sick; he raised several good boys to prepare them for the priesthood; and counseled parishioners to live compassionately with others, pagans as well as Christians.
Another special trait was the humility in delivering services. When the bishop assigned an associate pastor to Kẻ Sở, he showed confidence, gave encouragement and support; he told the associate pastor: “I entrust everything to you. I am old and slow. Please look after the properties, workers and even me.” Although parishioners readily provided for all his needs, Fr. Lucas Loan placed limits on himself, desiring to practice poverty like Lord Jesus. He worn out clothes before he wore new one, he ate the same food as other parishioners, if a sumptuous meal were prepared for him, he would protest immediately. Bishop Jeantet Khiêm heaped praises on him: “Looking back at the deeds Fr. Loan had done since his ordination until his martyrdom, I believe that, among the Vietnamese priests, probably no one could be compared to him...”
* Deceived By Crooks
Two pagan men, Mr. Kiểng of Bún village and Mr. Đô Cang of Vồi, who were awaiting trials, conspired to arrest Fr. Lucas Loan in the hope of gaining leniency. On the night of 1/10/1840 as the priest finished dinner at the community of Kẻ Chuôn, the two pretended to be guests coming to visit the priest, then invited him to go aboard their boat in which they took him to the community of Bún. As parishioners heard of his arrest, they negotiated with the kidnappers to buy his freedom for which the two men demanded 2000 piasters. Fr. Lucas Loan, for his love of the poor Christians, explained to the two criminals: “It may be arranged if you demand 200 piasters; demanding money in the thousand is impossible.” Mr. Kiểng wanted to reduce the demand, but Mr. Đô Cang disagreed because he wanted to hand the priest in to obtain a reduced sentence.
The two brought Fr. Lucas Loan to Phú Xuyên district magistrate who refused to take the priest, so they had to take the priest to Thăng Long (Hanoi). Arrived at the tribunal, the governor pointed to the two men, and scolded: “Stupid bunch, how could you have the heart to arrest a gentle and devout man who is your grandfathers’ age?” Nevertheless, since King Minh Mạng had ordered the persecution plus the fact that Fr. Lucas Loan’s arrest had been made public, the governor had no other choice but to jail the priest.