Saint Andrew Dung-Lac: The Representative of Vietnam’s 117 Martyr Saints

Among the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on 19 June 1988, Saint Andrew Dung-Lac is recognized as the representative of the entire group. For this reason, the Church celebrates their feast each year on 24 November under the title Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions.

The 117 Vietnamese Martyrs include bishops, priests, seminarians, catechists, and lay faithful—96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish Dominicans, and 10 members of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) from France, who gave their lives for the Catholic faith during periods of persecution in Vietnam between the 17th and 19th centuries. Together, they represent the countless Christians who remained faithful to Christ despite imprisonment, torture, and death.

Early Life

Saint Andrew Dung-Lac (around 1795–1839), born Trần An Dũng, came from a poor family in northern Vietnam.

As a young boy, he was adopted and educated by a Catholic catechist, through whom he embraced the Christian faith and received Baptism, taking the name Andrew.

His love for God inspired him to pursue the priesthood. After years of formation, he was ordained a diocesan priest in 1823. Father Andrew became widely respected for his humility, pastoral charity, and tireless dedication to serving Catholic communities during a time of increasing persecution.

A Faith Stronger Than Persecution

During the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng, Christianity was outlawed, and Catholics throughout Vietnam faced severe persecution.

Priests celebrated Mass in secret, administered the sacraments at great personal risk, and frequently moved from one village to another to avoid arrest.

Father Andrew was imprisoned several times because of his priestly ministry. On one occasion, local Catholics successfully raised money to secure his release. To avoid further persecution, he later became known as Andrew Dung-Lac, the name by which he is remembered today.

Despite repeated arrests and constant danger, he remained steadfast in his vocation and continued serving the faithful.

Martyrdom

In 1839, while visiting another imprisoned priest, Saint Peter Trương Văn Thi, Father Andrew was arrested once again.

Although fellow Catholics attempted to ransom him, he refused to renounce his faith.

On 21 December 1839, he was beheaded in Hanoi, offering his life as a faithful witness to Christ.

His courage and unwavering trust in God became an enduring inspiration for Vietnamese Catholics and the universal Church.

Beatification and Canonization

Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 21 November 1900.

Nearly a century later, on 19 June 1988, Pope Saint John Paul II canonized him together with 116 other Vietnamese Martyrs.

Today, Saint Andrew Dung-Lac is honored as the representative of the entire group, whose collective witness continues to inspire Catholics around the world.

Quick Facts

Name	Saint Andrew Dung-Lac
Birth Name	Trần An Dũng
Born	around 1795
Place of Birth	Bac Ninh, Northern Vietnam
Vocation	Diocesan Priest
Martyred	21 December 1839, Hanoi
Beatified	21 November 1900 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized	19 June 1988 by Pope Saint John Paul II
Feast Day	24 November
Represents	The 117 Vietnamese Martyrs

Why is Saint Andrew Dung-Lac the Representative of the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs?

Although all 117 martyrs are equally honored by the Church, Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was chosen to represent the entire group because his life reflects the shared witness of the Vietnamese Martyrs.

As a Vietnamese diocesan priest, he courageously continued his ministry despite repeated imprisonment and the constant threat of execution. His fidelity to Christ, pastoral charity, and willingness to sacrifice his life embody the virtues that united all 117 martyrs.

For this reason, the Church celebrates their feast under the title Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions, making his name the symbol of one of the largest groups of canonized martyrs in Church history.

Pilgrimage Sites Dedicated to Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and the Vietnamese Martyrs

Pilgrims wishing to learn more about the Vietnamese Martyrs can visit several important Catholic pilgrimage sites throughout Vietnam. These sacred places preserve the memory of the martyrs and continue to inspire the faithful today.

So Kien Minor Basilica (Ha Nam, Ninh Binh)

So Kien is one of Vietnam’s most important Catholic pilgrimage destinations and serves as the National Shrine of the Vietnamese Martyrs. It played a significant role in the history of the Church in northern Vietnam and remains a central place for honoring Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions.

Phu Nhai Minor Basilica (Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh)

One of the largest and most beautiful churches in Vietnam, Phu Nhai Minor Basilica features a prominent monument dedicated to the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs. It is a major pilgrimage destination, attracting thousands of Catholics each year.

Bui Chu Cathedral (Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh)

Located in one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic dioceses, Bui Chu Cathedral reflects the rich heritage of the early Vietnamese Church. The Diocese of Bui Chu preserves a strong memory of the Vietnamese Martyrs and remains an important stop for pilgrims exploring the Catholic history of northern Vietnam.

Ba Giong Martyrs Shrine (Tien Giang, Dong Thap)

In southern Vietnam, Ba Giong Martyrs Shrine commemorates several Vietnamese Martyrs who gave their lives during the 19th-century persecutions. It remains one of the country’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage sites.

Legacy

The story of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac is far more than a historical account. It is a witness to unwavering faith, pastoral devotion, and complete trust in God’s providence.

Today, he continues to inspire Catholics around the world to remain faithful to Christ with courage, hope, and love. His life reminds us that holiness is found not only in extraordinary deeds but also in steadfast fidelity to God, even in the face of suffering.

Planning a Pilgrimage in Vietnam

Many of these sacred sites are featured in our Northern Vietnam Catholic Pilgrimage Tours, offering pilgrims a meaningful opportunity to discover the history of the Vietnamese Church, reflect on the courage of the martyrs, and deepen their faith while visiting some of Vietnam’s most important Catholic landmarks.