Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, (1928 –2002) was born in Huế, Vietnam and was the nephew of South Vietnam’s first president. He entered seminary when he was a teenager and was ordained in 1953 at age 25. By 1975 he was appointed as the coadjutor archbishop of Saigon, just as the Vietnam War came to an end. Only six days after his appointment, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army and Francis-Xavier, targeted for his faith and connections, was arrested, and detained by the regime. For the next 13 years, he endured immense hardships in captivity, including nine years of solitary confinement.
 
Throughout his imprisonment, Francis-Xavier’s devotion to Jesus sustained him. Denied access to the Mass and to the Sacraments, he secretly celebrated Mass while confined with whatever resources he could find — even if he only had a few drops of wine and a piece of bread as the elements for the Eucharist.
 
While imprisoned, he became known for his joyful spirit, sharing hope and encouragement with fellow prisoners, and writing powerful faith reflections on scraps of paper, which were smuggled out and circulated among Catholics worldwide.
 
Released from prison in 1988, Francis-Xavier continued to inspire the Church from house arrest as well as from exile in Switzerland. In 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, recognizing his dedication to promoting peace, reconciliation, and social justice. Fourteen years later he died of cancer in Rome at the age of 74.
 
In recognition of his heroic virtues, Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận was declared Venerable by Pope Francis in 2017. His cause for beatification is ongoing, and he continues to be an important figure for those facing oppression and adversity, inspiring them to remain steadfast in God’s love. Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, pray for us!