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25-07-2006, 08:34 PM
September 21
Saint Francis JACCARD PHAN (NINH)
Society of Foreign Missions of ParisPriest
(1799-1838)
* A Woeful and Majestic Life.
If martyrdom is considered a woeful and majestic drama, then Saint Francis Jaccard Phan’s martyrdom was one of the most majestic: 10 years of imprisonment, 20 months in banishment, and three death sentences. Rising up from these miseries was the portrait of a courageous hero. He had overcome hunger, thirst and malaria, had remained absolutely faithful to the truth of the Word of forgiving and serving those who harmed him. He was brave in the face of obstacles and gave up all the luxuries as observed by Bishop Cuénot Thể: “The person who has nothing left to lose, has always gone forward to win over mankind.”
* A Farmer's Courage.
Born on 9/6/1799 in Onion in the Savoie region of France, in a poor but religious farmer’s family. When he was young, Francis Jaccard preferred the playground to school. There was nothing more interesting than playing in the vast rolling green field. Sent by his parents to Mélan minor seminary, Jaccard was always the student “bringing up the bottom,” so he became discouraged and went home. However, encouraged by his family and friends, and moreover he desired to be a priest, he asked to return to the seminary and promised to everyone that he would try his best.
In fact, Jaccard had kept his promise. With diligence and effort, he finished his studies at Mélan minor seminary, and then entered the major seminary of Chambéry diocese in 1819. Two years later, Jaccard joined the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris, and was ordained into the priesthood on 3/15/1823. Immediately, Fr. Jaccard was appointed director of the major seminary. But he told his superiors: “I came here to go overseas to evangelize, not to stay in this Paris.”
On 7/10/1823 Fr. Jaccard boarded a ship in Bordeaux leaving his beloved homeland. On 11/25/1824 the ship docked at Macao, but the missionary did not reach the Diocese of the Cochin China until February 1826. After studying Vietnamese at An Ninh seminary, he took the Vietnamese name Phan, worked at Nhu Lý Phủ Cam, and then became director of An Ninh seminary (Quảng Trị).
* The Spirit of Wholehearted Service.
In June 1827 King Minh Mạng summoned to Huế three missionaries: Tabert Từ, Gagelin Kính and Odorico Phương, with the pretense of needing them as interpreters and to translate books. During the first three months, the three priests were treated amicably; they could minister to the Huế Christians. But as if they were in light detention in Cung Quán, they were under constant guard; their movements were always watched by three soldiers. Toward yearend, with the intervention Viceroy Lê Văn Duyệt, the three were freed. However in July 1828, soldiers brought a hand carriage to take Fr. Jaccard Phan to the royal capital. He lived in Cung Quán to translate French documents into Vietnamese. Feeling too “hands tied” in Cung Quán for pastoral works, Fr. Jaccard Phan asked the king to relocate him to Dương Sơn, which was 15 kilometers away from the capital, to help Christians as well as to translate books for the royal court. During this time, he translated books on Napoleon, the English conquest of India, European and American histories, and taught French to persons sent by the king. The king wanted to reward him with royal honors, but he refused.
Learning of King Minh Mạng’s 40th birthday, he sought permission to organize an eight-day celebration, praying for the king with solemn services. Beside Catholics, pagans attended in droves. Many pagans became interested in the Catholic faith; among them were a number of courtiers and the king’s eldest sister.
* King Minh Mạng’s “Soldier”.
In September 1831 Dương Sơn village under Fr. Jaccard Phan’s care was harassed by Cổ Lão villagers and incriminated for land annexation. Then because Cổ Lão villagers did not have any proof, they denounced Dương Sơn villagers as Christians. Immediately 73 people were imprisoned and each was given 50 canes; the village deputy chief was banished while the village chief and Fr. Jaccard Phan were condemned to death. King Minh Mạng showed more leniencies toward Fr. Jaccard Phan, he changed the death sentence to military service and enlisted the priest into the royal military. He was brought back Cung Quán to continue translating books and documents.
During this period Fr. Jaccard Phan met King Minh Mạng many times. The king also asked him to explain pictures of the Old as well as of the New Testaments. God’s disciple took the opportunities to explain to the king Christianity, God the Creator, the immortal soul and reward and punishment after death. One time, he had the audacity to send the king a catechism book for the catechumen. In return, the king sent the Minister of State to demand that the priest completely burn all those religious books, but he refused. The minister said: “I forgive you, but before the royal council, you have to say that all the books had been sent back to France, and promise to stop preaching.” He replied: “His Honor, you know that our religion forbids lying; as to preaching, I cannot obey.” The minister continued: “So you will be condemned to death.” The priest responded: “I had been sentenced to death once, one more means nothing.” King Minh Mạng learned of the story, but chose to ignore it; he only had the priest guarded more closely than before.
Saint Francis JACCARD PHAN (NINH)
Society of Foreign Missions of ParisPriest
(1799-1838)
* A Woeful and Majestic Life.
If martyrdom is considered a woeful and majestic drama, then Saint Francis Jaccard Phan’s martyrdom was one of the most majestic: 10 years of imprisonment, 20 months in banishment, and three death sentences. Rising up from these miseries was the portrait of a courageous hero. He had overcome hunger, thirst and malaria, had remained absolutely faithful to the truth of the Word of forgiving and serving those who harmed him. He was brave in the face of obstacles and gave up all the luxuries as observed by Bishop Cuénot Thể: “The person who has nothing left to lose, has always gone forward to win over mankind.”
* A Farmer's Courage.
Born on 9/6/1799 in Onion in the Savoie region of France, in a poor but religious farmer’s family. When he was young, Francis Jaccard preferred the playground to school. There was nothing more interesting than playing in the vast rolling green field. Sent by his parents to Mélan minor seminary, Jaccard was always the student “bringing up the bottom,” so he became discouraged and went home. However, encouraged by his family and friends, and moreover he desired to be a priest, he asked to return to the seminary and promised to everyone that he would try his best.
In fact, Jaccard had kept his promise. With diligence and effort, he finished his studies at Mélan minor seminary, and then entered the major seminary of Chambéry diocese in 1819. Two years later, Jaccard joined the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris, and was ordained into the priesthood on 3/15/1823. Immediately, Fr. Jaccard was appointed director of the major seminary. But he told his superiors: “I came here to go overseas to evangelize, not to stay in this Paris.”
On 7/10/1823 Fr. Jaccard boarded a ship in Bordeaux leaving his beloved homeland. On 11/25/1824 the ship docked at Macao, but the missionary did not reach the Diocese of the Cochin China until February 1826. After studying Vietnamese at An Ninh seminary, he took the Vietnamese name Phan, worked at Nhu Lý Phủ Cam, and then became director of An Ninh seminary (Quảng Trị).
* The Spirit of Wholehearted Service.
In June 1827 King Minh Mạng summoned to Huế three missionaries: Tabert Từ, Gagelin Kính and Odorico Phương, with the pretense of needing them as interpreters and to translate books. During the first three months, the three priests were treated amicably; they could minister to the Huế Christians. But as if they were in light detention in Cung Quán, they were under constant guard; their movements were always watched by three soldiers. Toward yearend, with the intervention Viceroy Lê Văn Duyệt, the three were freed. However in July 1828, soldiers brought a hand carriage to take Fr. Jaccard Phan to the royal capital. He lived in Cung Quán to translate French documents into Vietnamese. Feeling too “hands tied” in Cung Quán for pastoral works, Fr. Jaccard Phan asked the king to relocate him to Dương Sơn, which was 15 kilometers away from the capital, to help Christians as well as to translate books for the royal court. During this time, he translated books on Napoleon, the English conquest of India, European and American histories, and taught French to persons sent by the king. The king wanted to reward him with royal honors, but he refused.
Learning of King Minh Mạng’s 40th birthday, he sought permission to organize an eight-day celebration, praying for the king with solemn services. Beside Catholics, pagans attended in droves. Many pagans became interested in the Catholic faith; among them were a number of courtiers and the king’s eldest sister.
* King Minh Mạng’s “Soldier”.
In September 1831 Dương Sơn village under Fr. Jaccard Phan’s care was harassed by Cổ Lão villagers and incriminated for land annexation. Then because Cổ Lão villagers did not have any proof, they denounced Dương Sơn villagers as Christians. Immediately 73 people were imprisoned and each was given 50 canes; the village deputy chief was banished while the village chief and Fr. Jaccard Phan were condemned to death. King Minh Mạng showed more leniencies toward Fr. Jaccard Phan, he changed the death sentence to military service and enlisted the priest into the royal military. He was brought back Cung Quán to continue translating books and documents.
During this period Fr. Jaccard Phan met King Minh Mạng many times. The king also asked him to explain pictures of the Old as well as of the New Testaments. God’s disciple took the opportunities to explain to the king Christianity, God the Creator, the immortal soul and reward and punishment after death. One time, he had the audacity to send the king a catechism book for the catechumen. In return, the king sent the Minister of State to demand that the priest completely burn all those religious books, but he refused. The minister said: “I forgive you, but before the royal council, you have to say that all the books had been sent back to France, and promise to stop preaching.” He replied: “His Honor, you know that our religion forbids lying; as to preaching, I cannot obey.” The minister continued: “So you will be condemned to death.” The priest responded: “I had been sentenced to death once, one more means nothing.” King Minh Mạng learned of the story, but chose to ignore it; he only had the priest guarded more closely than before.