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30-06-2006, 07:40 AM
July 10
Saint Peter NGUYỄN KHẮC TỰ
Catechist
(1808-1840)
* The Scarf of Love.
Saint Peter Tự’s martyrdom was a manifestation of the deep bond between teachers and students, priests and their spiritual sons in the Church. On 7/31/1838, after soldiers captured missionary priest Borie Cao, while many Christians, afraid of being incriminated against, pretended not to know the priest, Catechist Tự trailed along behind the soldiers, crying and begging to accompany his teacher. Soldiers became suspicious, took him to the missionary, who feigned not to know “who this young man is?” for fear of implicating his student; but he later tried to buy freedom for his student.
However the catechist Tự was determined to achieve his objective. He declared straight out that he was the arrestee’s disciple, and begged his mentor: “Please permit me to go with you to the end.” Touched by his disciple’s sincere heart, the priest removed the scarf from his neck, tore it in half, handed a half to his student, also his most able assistant, and said: “Take it and save it as a proof of your commitment.” And the catechist Tự had kept that piece of cloth for two years until his execution, during which time he was jailed together with his spiritual father for four months. He had recorded the heroic death of his beloved father, then together with him followed in Christ’s footsteps, the only Grand Teacher, to his own Mount Of Calvary.
* To the End with the Father.
Peter Nguyễn Khắc Tự was born in 1808, Ninh Bình province, during King Gia Long’s reign. Tự was sent at an early age to the House of God (religious school). After becoming a catechist, he was assigned to help the elderly priest Quế, then Fr. Dumoulin Borie Cao after Fr. Quế passed away. In the four years of working with Fr. Borie Cao, the catechist demonstrated his enthusiasm, dedication and humility in serving others. Although four years was not a very long time, but between the two was born a unique and close bond which led Catechist Tự into the perilous journey of following his mentor priest to the end.
After escorting Fr. Borie Cao and the catechist Tự from Bố Chính to Đồng Hới, the mandarin had them jailed separately. However on many occasions, the two were brought together to the tribunal along with the two priests Khoa, Điểm, and Mr. Năm Quỳnh. At his first court appearance, the catechist Tự was given 20 canes for not walking over the cross. The following day, the mandarin summoned him alone for interrogation: “How long have you known the priest?” He replied: “It has been four years.” The mandarin continues: “where did you meet the priest?” To avoid incriminating others, he said: “I met him on a boat, and we started to live together.” Furious, the mandarin screamed: “Liar. This person dared giving falsehood. Soldiers, give him 30 canes.” The catechist Tự endured 30 canes without a single complaint.
Such interrogations, canes and pressure to walk over the crucifix recurred many times over a four-month period. One day, to force Fr. Borie Cao to reveal homeowners who had provided sanctuaries, the mandarin had the catechist beaten right in front of the priest who then cleverly divulged names of the dead to alleviate the torture on his disciple; but no matter what, the catechist Tự always maintained his faith. He had advised those who visited to accept God’s will, remained faithful, and prayed for one another to endure to the end. Whenever possible, he took advantage of the situation to teach catechism and explain Christian values to his fellow prisoners as well as pagan prison guards. Additionally, he prayed vigilantly asking God to give him the courage to sacrifice for Christ’s sake. Fr. Ngôn twice disguised himself to visit and to give him the Blessed Sacrament.
On 11/24/1838, missionary Dumoulin Borie Cao (bishop designate at the time) together with Fr. Điểm and Fr. Khoa were led to their execution. In the same decree, King Minh Mạng passed the following judgment on catechist Tự and Mr. Năm Quỳnh:
“Although they are not priests, but due to their stubborn blindness, they are also counted among those whom I detest. Therefore, they are both sentence to death, but not immediately.”
According to missionary Michael Mịch, the king delayed the execution because he hoped that Mr. Năm Quỳnh, a well-respected man, would give up his faith. Several times, mandarins sent petitions to the royal capital requesting to apply the sentence, but the king told them to be patient.
Hoàng Tôn Thất
Saint Peter NGUYỄN KHẮC TỰ
Catechist
(1808-1840)
* The Scarf of Love.
Saint Peter Tự’s martyrdom was a manifestation of the deep bond between teachers and students, priests and their spiritual sons in the Church. On 7/31/1838, after soldiers captured missionary priest Borie Cao, while many Christians, afraid of being incriminated against, pretended not to know the priest, Catechist Tự trailed along behind the soldiers, crying and begging to accompany his teacher. Soldiers became suspicious, took him to the missionary, who feigned not to know “who this young man is?” for fear of implicating his student; but he later tried to buy freedom for his student.
However the catechist Tự was determined to achieve his objective. He declared straight out that he was the arrestee’s disciple, and begged his mentor: “Please permit me to go with you to the end.” Touched by his disciple’s sincere heart, the priest removed the scarf from his neck, tore it in half, handed a half to his student, also his most able assistant, and said: “Take it and save it as a proof of your commitment.” And the catechist Tự had kept that piece of cloth for two years until his execution, during which time he was jailed together with his spiritual father for four months. He had recorded the heroic death of his beloved father, then together with him followed in Christ’s footsteps, the only Grand Teacher, to his own Mount Of Calvary.
* To the End with the Father.
Peter Nguyễn Khắc Tự was born in 1808, Ninh Bình province, during King Gia Long’s reign. Tự was sent at an early age to the House of God (religious school). After becoming a catechist, he was assigned to help the elderly priest Quế, then Fr. Dumoulin Borie Cao after Fr. Quế passed away. In the four years of working with Fr. Borie Cao, the catechist demonstrated his enthusiasm, dedication and humility in serving others. Although four years was not a very long time, but between the two was born a unique and close bond which led Catechist Tự into the perilous journey of following his mentor priest to the end.
After escorting Fr. Borie Cao and the catechist Tự from Bố Chính to Đồng Hới, the mandarin had them jailed separately. However on many occasions, the two were brought together to the tribunal along with the two priests Khoa, Điểm, and Mr. Năm Quỳnh. At his first court appearance, the catechist Tự was given 20 canes for not walking over the cross. The following day, the mandarin summoned him alone for interrogation: “How long have you known the priest?” He replied: “It has been four years.” The mandarin continues: “where did you meet the priest?” To avoid incriminating others, he said: “I met him on a boat, and we started to live together.” Furious, the mandarin screamed: “Liar. This person dared giving falsehood. Soldiers, give him 30 canes.” The catechist Tự endured 30 canes without a single complaint.
Such interrogations, canes and pressure to walk over the crucifix recurred many times over a four-month period. One day, to force Fr. Borie Cao to reveal homeowners who had provided sanctuaries, the mandarin had the catechist beaten right in front of the priest who then cleverly divulged names of the dead to alleviate the torture on his disciple; but no matter what, the catechist Tự always maintained his faith. He had advised those who visited to accept God’s will, remained faithful, and prayed for one another to endure to the end. Whenever possible, he took advantage of the situation to teach catechism and explain Christian values to his fellow prisoners as well as pagan prison guards. Additionally, he prayed vigilantly asking God to give him the courage to sacrifice for Christ’s sake. Fr. Ngôn twice disguised himself to visit and to give him the Blessed Sacrament.
On 11/24/1838, missionary Dumoulin Borie Cao (bishop designate at the time) together with Fr. Điểm and Fr. Khoa were led to their execution. In the same decree, King Minh Mạng passed the following judgment on catechist Tự and Mr. Năm Quỳnh:
“Although they are not priests, but due to their stubborn blindness, they are also counted among those whom I detest. Therefore, they are both sentence to death, but not immediately.”
According to missionary Michael Mịch, the king delayed the execution because he hoped that Mr. Năm Quỳnh, a well-respected man, would give up his faith. Several times, mandarins sent petitions to the royal capital requesting to apply the sentence, but the king told them to be patient.
Hoàng Tôn Thất