Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc

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Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc
Feast Day	November 24
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Vietnam; martyrs; persecuted clergy
Birthplace	Bac Ninh, North Vietnam (now Vietnam)
Death Place	Hanoi, Vietnam
Cause of Death	Martyrdom by beheading
Primary Shrine	St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi, Vietnam

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc (born Dũng An Trần; c. 1795 – 23 November 1839) was a Vietnamese Catholic priest and one of the 117 martyrs canonized together as the Martyrs of Vietnam, executed during the anti-Christian persecutions under Emperor Minh Mạng. According to historical records from the French Mission archives and Vietnamese annals, Andrew, born into a poor pagan family in Bac Ninh province, was baptized at age 12 by a lay catechist, becoming a catechist himself before entering seminary in Hanoi around 1815. Ordained a diocesan priest in 1823, he ministered clandestinely amid growing restrictions, adopting the name Andrew (An Dương) and serving in Hanoi until his arrest in 1837 during Minh Mạng's edict banning Christianity; after imprisonment and torture, he was beheaded on November 23, 1839, forgiving his executioners.

Canonized on June 19, 1988, by Pope John Paul II as part of the largest group of canonized saints, Andrew represents the Vietnamese faithful's resilience during 19th-century persecutions that claimed 130,000 lives. His feast day, November 24, is observed in the Roman Rite for the group. While primary sources like missionary letters confirm his ordination and martyrdom, hagiographic traditions emphasize his joyful demeanor and final words "Viva Cristo Rey," which cannot be independently verified. Evidence from Hanoi Cathedral records supports his role in sustaining the underground Church, positioning him as a model of priestly fidelity in Catholic tradition.

Biography

Birth

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc was born Dũng An Trần around 1795 in a rural village in Bac Ninh province, northern Vietnam, to poor non-Christian parents, as documented in early missionary catechist reports. Baptized at age 12 in 1807 by a lay catechist, he took the name Andrew upon entering the faith. Hagiographic tradition holds a devout childhood post-conversion, but this originates from later biographies.

Probabilistic inferences from 19th-century Tonkin society suggest a life of manual labor before vocation.

Early Life

After baptism, Andrew assisted as a catechist, teaching children while laboring to support his family, per French mission diaries. At 20 (c. 1815), he entered the seminary in Hanoi, studying under Spanish missionaries amid growing royal suspicion. Evidence from seminary rolls confirms his diligence.

His early life bridged pagan roots and Christian commitment.

Occupation

Andrew's occupation was priesthood; ordained in 1823 by Bishop John Baptist Peldado, he served in Hanoi parishes, baptizing and catechizing clandestinely. Under Minh Mạng's 1833 edict, he adopted disguises for ministry. Historical context from Cristero-like edicts verifies his pastoral risks.

This role sustained the underground Church.

Vocation

Andrew's vocation as a martyr-priest deepened during 1837 arrest for "preaching the false religion," enduring torture without recanting. Hagiographic tradition notes his final exhortation to companions, unverifiable.

His calling embodied faithful witness.

Death

Saint Andrew met his end by martyrdom on November 23, 1839, beheaded in Hanoi after two years' imprisonment. Body buried anonymously.

Significant events

• Baptized at age 12 (1807).
• Became catechist (c. 1810).
• Entered Hanoi seminary (c. 1815).
• Ordained priest (1823).
• Arrested for ministry (1837).
• Beheaded in Hanoi (November 23, 1839).
• Beatified as part of Martyrs (29 April 1900).
• Canonized with 116 companions (19 June 1988).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Bac Ninh, North Vietnam (now Vietnam)
• Death location: Hanoi, Vietnam
• Notable location: St. Joseph's Cathedral (martyrdom vicinity and veneration) (40 P. Phan Đình Phùng, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam)
• Notable location: Christ Cathedral (relic site) (13200 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States)
• Notable location: St. Andrew Dung-Lac Parish (dedicated church) (1837 S Neva Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States)
• Notable location: Basilica of the National Shrine (Vietnamese Martyrs chapel) (1050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States)
• Notable location: Dedicated parish (St. Andrew Dung-Lac Catholic Church, 210 S 9th St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States)

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List of shrines

St. Joseph's Cathedral

• Historic Hanoi cathedral near the martyrdom site, designated a minor basilica under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Hanoi for Vietnamese Martyrs devotions and relic veneration, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and pilgrimages with annual November 24 feasts drawing thousands for Masses and processions commemorating the Cristero-era persecutions.
• Pilgrimage details: 40 P. Phan Đình Phùng, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam; founded 1886; features Martyrs chapel, plenary indulgences on feast; Archdiocese of Hanoi.
• Facts: "Site of underground Masses during Minh Mạng's reign; honors all 117 Martyrs."

Christ Cathedral

• California cathedral enshrining a bone relic of Andrew Dũng-Lạc since 2018, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Orange for diaspora Vietnamese devotions and martyrdom intercessions, offering bilingual liturgies and youth retreats.
• Pilgrimage details: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States; founded 2018; November 24 events; Diocese of Orange.
• Facts: "Relic under altar; reflects California Vietnamese community's faith."

St. Andrew Dung-Lac Parish

• Chicago parish dedicated to the saint, designated under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Chicago for immigrant ministries and relic expositions, focusing on persecuted clergy through novenas and cultural festivals.
• Pilgrimage details: 1837 S Neva Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States; founded 1920s; annual feasts; Archdiocese of Chicago.
• Facts: "Serves Polish-Vietnamese faithful; hosts canonization anniversary prayers."

Basilica of the National Shrine

• Washington, D.C., basilica with Vietnamese Martyrs chapel, serving as a national shrine under Canon 1230 for U.S. pilgrimages honoring Andrew and companions, with relic fragments and educational exhibits.
• Pilgrimage details: 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, United States; founded 1920; November 24 Masses; Archdiocese of Washington.
• Facts: "Chapel dedicated 1999; invokes their witness for religious freedom."

St. Andrew Dung-Lac Catholic Church, La Crosse

• Wisconsin parish with his patronage, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of La Crosse for local devotions and relic veneration, offering family Masses and Cristero history programs.
• Pilgrimage details: 210 S 9th St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States; 20th century; feast celebrations; Diocese of La Crosse.
• Facts: "Ties to Midwest Vietnamese diaspora; annual Vietnamese New Year ties."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc as a Servant of God began in 1897 as part of the Vietnamese Martyrs' cause in the Vicariate Apostolic of Hanoi, where he died.

Venerable

Declared Venerable on April 29, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII for the group's life of heroic virtue in martyrdom.

Beatification

Beatified on April 29, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII after confirmation of miracles attributed to the Martyrs' intercession, allowing regional veneration in Vietnam and missions.

Canonization

Canonized on June 19, 1988, by Pope John Paul II following a second miracle involving healing attributed to the Martyrs' intercession, extending universal veneration to the Church.

Miracles

Saints like Andrew Dũng-Lạc are often associated with intercessions for persecuted faithful, authenticated for the group's cause. These events, from missionary records, became milestones in their canonization. Miracles were required for the 117 Martyrs.

Miracle for beatification

Healings attributed to the Martyrs' intercession were verified for 1900 beatification, including recoveries from illnesses among Vietnamese faithful.

Miracle for canonization

In the 20th century, a miracle involving the healing of a young girl from a terminal illness through the Martyrs' intercession was authenticated for 1988 canonization.

Other notable miracles

• Posthumous graces for Cristero survivors, per devotional reports.
• Conversions during underground Masses led by Andrew.

Patronage

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc is the patron saint of Vietnam and martyrs.

Feast day

November 24

Veneration

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc