dominican saints
The Martyrs of Tonkin
Bl. Jerome, Valentine, Francis, Hyacinth & Companions, M.M.O.P.
Feast Day November 6th
Beatified by St. Pope Pius X, May 20, 1906.
To all of these holy Dominicans can be applied the words of the letter to the Hebrews:
“But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:35-38.
bl. JEROME HERMOSILLA, b.c.o.p.
This martyr was destined by God to be the main support of the Dominican mission in Tonkin during the cruelest persecutions suffered by Christians in Vietnam in the reign of the Emperors Minh-Manh and Tu-Duc.
Jerome Hermosilla was born on September 30,1800 in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Logroño (Spain). He attended first the Seminary of Valencia before entering the Dominican Order. He made his profession on 29 October 1823. He was already a sub-deacon when he decided to transfer to the Dominican Province of the Rosary. In the company of eleven other religious, he arrived in Manila on 2 March 1825. There, he completed his studies, was ordained and celebrated his First Mass.
Jerome was thirsty for the salvation of souls, so he offered to go to the missions in Vietnam where the Church was undergoing great sufferings. Martyrdom was its daily fare. Around the middle of May 1829, he arrived at the home of the Vicar Provincial who was gravely ill. The arrival of this new missionary gave the Vicar such great joy that he began to feel better right away. This most extraordinary happening was registered in the Acts of the Process for Beatification of Jerome Hermosilla.
Jerome was young, robust and tireless. He always took the heaviest and hardest tasks at the mission. He traveled constantly, visiting the Christian communities, preaching, teaching and witnessing to the faith. Right away, he also became very popular with the unbelievers. His apostolic ministry lasted for 32 years in spite of the cruel persecutions. Being such a great missionary, “he was especially persecuted till the last day of his life.”
The year 1838 is significant because of the persecution that was unleashed by Emperor Minh-Manh throughout all of his dominions. One by one the European missionaries fell. The only one left was the celebrated and hunted Father Hermosilla. The emperor demanded his capture and the Mandarins were impatient for him to be caught. “We ask for more time,” the judges said. “We are doing all we can to find him; when we do, we shall sentence him.” Thousands of soldiers were sent out to look for him.
On one occasion, the soldiers entered the house when the missionary was present. When Jerome heard them he shouted: “God’s will be done.” In the midst of all the confusion, the soldiers either saw him nor heard him; since they thought he had escaped, they left. Hermosilla could not believe what had happened so he too left to look for a safer hiding place. God had preserved him because he was the supporting pillar of the Mission in those critical times.
At the beginning of 1841, Minh-Manh died without seeing his perfidious intentions accomplished. The year before, in August 1840, Hermosilla had been named Vicar Apostolic and Metropolitan titular Bishop. With this appointment came the beginning of his new Calvary. The journey he had to undertake to be consecrated was one of unimaginable hardships. Because he had to walk barefoot, his feet were covered with blisters. At times, he held on to the tail of a horse to be dragged; at others, he was carried by his helpers. After ten days of travel, he was consecrated on 25 April 1841. On that occasion, he changed his name, a Vietnamese custom, in order to hide more easily. From then on he would be known as Liem, which signifies “just and honorable.”
This change of name, however, did not protect him from falling into the hands of his enemies. He was denounced by a traitor. He was in a boat when a scene similar to that of Gethsemani took place. When the soldiers manhandled Jerome, his catechist Joseph Khang pushed one of the soldiers. The bishop told him: “Leave him alone, God’s will be done.” He then gave the Mandarin all the money he had and begged him: “Take me if you wish but let these poor fishermen go.” The Mandarin did so. The faithful catechist refused to be separated from his bishop, saying: “I beg you to let me go with him; if my master is to die, I want to die with him.”
Both were taken to the town of Hai-duong where a scene so often repeated with our martyrs again took place, namely, placing a cross on the path they were to cross. Bishop Hermosilla and Joseph Khang refused to move forward until the cross was removed. Once they arrived at the prison, they were placed in cages and waited patiently for the supreme moment, so ardently sought. Jerome was decapitated on 1 November 1861 with Valentine Berrio-Ochoa and Peter Almató. A few days later, the faithful catechist Joseph Khang died in the same way.
Jerome Hermosilla is “an immortal figure in the history of the missions. The influence he had on the Christian communities of Tonkin reminds one of that of St. Paul on the churches of Asia.”
bl. VALENTINE FAUSTINO BERRI OCHOA, b.c.o.p.
“I will become a saint so that Biscay will have one.” This is the answer that Valentine gave to a friend who had asked him what he intended to do with his life. We shall see that he did accomplish this goal.
Valentine was born in Elorrio, Biscay (Spain) on February 14, 1827. From a tender age, virtue was natural to him. He studied to become a priest at the Seminary of Logroño and was ordained there. He was appointed Spiritual Director of the Seminary, a post he filled for some time. In his desire for the support of community, he humbly asked to be admitted to the Dominican Order at the Priory of St Dominic in Ocaña. In no time, he was a model of regular observance. He wrote to his parents: “Your son has become a little friar in white. I live here with holy men who day and night praise God and sometimes get up to sing Matins, singing like angels.” He made profession in 1854.
After his arrival in the Philippines, the reading of letters from missionaries inflamed his heart with desire to go to evangelize Vietnamese lands. He knew well what was likely to be waiting for him there. After experiencing many dangers on his way to Vietnam, he finally arrived in 1858 at the hiding place of the venerable Bishop Melchior García Sampedro. This young 37-year-old bishop was pleased to welcome the new missionary, Father Valentine.
A persecution was raging at this time and the bishop, not wanting to remain without a successor in the Central Vicariate, chose Father Valentine as his Coadjutor. The latter protested because of his young age, unfamiliarity with the language and more importantly with the customs of the country. After all, he had been there only three months. In the end, he had to consent but remarked humorously: “His Eminence Bishop Melchior García Sampedro has given me a heavy cross. If I have the good fortune of reaching heaven, there I will ask him to give me an account of what he did to me.”
The situation of the missionaries worsened daily, especially in the Central Vicariate. A large number of priests, catechists and Christians suffered martyrdom, among them 17 Dominican religious. In such critical times, Bishop Berrio-Ochoa — after imploring Divine help — followed the advice of Bishop Hermosilla to escape his persecutors by looking for refuge in the Eastern Vicariate. He did this with great sorrow, thinking of the flock he was leaving behind. But he was apprehended on 25 October 1861. On 1 November 1861, he received the palm of martyrdom in the town of Hai-duong with Bishop Hermosilla and Father Peter Almató. An eyewitness reported: “When the group arrived at the place of execution, the Mandarins opened the cages and the martyrs stepped out; prostrating themselves on the ground, they prayed long and fervently. They were tied to three stakes.
When the signal was given by a trumpet blast, their heads rolled.” It was on November 1, 1861 when these three souls entered heaven — whitened with the Blood of the Lamb, embellished with crowns of triumph and carrying in their hands the palm of martyrdom.
In view of the heroic virtues of Father Valentine, it was not necessary for him to have been martyred to merit a place among the saints in heaven. Pope Leo XIII assured us: “Even if Father Valentine had not received the palm of martyrdom, his admirable life would have sufficed to obtain for him the honors of the altar.”
In effect, this martyr was gifted with the fundamental virtue of profound humility, protected by a tender devotion to Mary, imbued moreover with a holy joy that made him loved and respected by all. He once said: “I have experienced some dangerous episodes; if it had not been for my sins, maybe I would have lost my head earlier.”
Of his love for our heavenly Mother, especially under the title of the Rosary, it is enough to say that his heart was totally Marian. To his dear mother — who was one of his three loves — he once wrote: “Be consoled, dear mother, with the Blessed Virgin; prostrated at her feet, give her your heart. Pray the rosary with great devotion and love, for the rosary is a very effective weapon.
In summary, then, Valentine Berrio-Ochoa fulfilled what he set out to do when he said to his friend: “I will become a saint so that Biscay will have one.” Later, the Bishop of Vitoria was able to say to this faithful: “You have a saint in heaven, a son of Elorrio. Valentine is the first Biscayan to receive the honors of the altar.”
Beheading of Bl. Valentine
bl. FRANCIS GIL de FREDERICH, C.O.P.
“Are you looking for me? Then why are you taking them as prisoners also?” These were the words that our martyr spoke. They remind us of the words that Our Savior uttered in the Garden of Gethsemani. Who was this speaking? He was a humble but valiant friar.
Francis was born in Tortosa, Tarragona (Spain) in December 1702. He received the Dominican habit in the Priory of St. Catherine Virgin and Martyr of Barcelona. He made profession in 1718. For some time, he remained there as professor of philosophy and as Master of Students.
Francis had a passion for the conversion of unbelievers. As soon as he could, he affiliated himself to the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary. After a few months in Pangasinan, Philippines, as secretary to the Provincial, he asked permission to prepare himself for the mission of Tonkin. After receiving permission, he left for Tonkin, arriving there in August 1735.
Being gifted with exceptional qualities and talents, he soon had the language of the country at his command. He accomplished much during the two years (1735-1737) he was free to exercise his apostolate. He worked untiringly in the ministry, overlooking sickness, dangers and inconveniences, as long as he could be of service to the needy. According to an eyewitness, Francis preached incessantly, administered the Sacraments, visited and consoled the sick. Neither bad roads, intense heat nor fear of falling into the hands of the enemy stopped him. The love of God and zeal for souls were his incentive and strength against all difficulties.
The persecution against the Christians and their pastors flared up more and more often. It forced them to hide on rivers and in the mountains in order to continue evangelizing the people. Francis, who had the reputation of being one of the more capable Europeans in the Kingdom, was very prudent and careful in hiding. Eventually, after having been denounced by a Buddhist monk, he fell into an enemy trap on August 3, 1737.
Francis was apprehended as he finished celebrating the Holy Eucharist. He was taken to a boat holding other prisoners, some women among them. Francis confronted the leader, saying: “You have me now, why are you taking these as prisoners, too? Let them go.” To the surprise and admiration of all, the leader freed them.
Francis was taken to the capital, Hanoi. Weighed down with heavy chains, he was put in prison. The jailers took him out into an uncovered patio where they left him exposed to the raw weather, wearing only a short tunic and his rosary. He won the sympathy of all in prison because of the serenity and patience with which he bore his sickness and chains.
“How is it that since you know very well that the Christian Religion is prohibited in these kingdoms, you still came to preach it?” asked the Governor. Father answered: “I have come to liberate souls from perdition.” The Governor asked further: “If the Emperor cuts off your head, then what?” The answer was not one he expected. “If the Emperor cuts off my head, it will make me very happy.”
Later, weighed down with more chains, Francis was taken to another prison. From that moment on, the fever and all his other sicknesses left him. On his way to the prison, he ground so a deep wound on his foot from dragging the chains that he could no longer walk. He remained immobile in a corner of his cell.
Two non-Christian women were moved to compassion at the lamentable condition of this sick man. Through bribery, they were able to take him to their home, to care for his wound and to feed him. This act of kindness did not go unrewarded for one of the women — who was herself ill — was cured through the prayers of Father Francis. In time, both women became Christians.
It would not do the judges any good to threaten him with all kinds of sufferings if he didn’t tread on the cross or shatter a statue of the Blessed Virgin. They asked him: “Will it be an injustice to behead you?” He answered: “Without a doubt, but I will gladly suffer it.” He was condemned to die by decapitation for being a teacher of the Christian Religion, which was prohibited by the laws of the Kingdom.
In his final triumph, Francis had the joy of being accompanied by his Dominican brother and friend, Matthew Alonso Liciniana. Both apostles were beheaded on January 22, 1745. The same can be said of them as was said of St. Paul and St. Peter: “These two apostles who loved each other in life were not separated in death.”
At the Provincial Chapter of 1743, the following statement was recorded:
“A marvelous thing happened in Father Francis Gil de Federich’s cell. There, he preached a mission and thanks to the disposition of his kind soul and to Divine aid, he was able to plant and water the faith in the Tonkin people. And what is even more marvelous is that the [natives] themselves ran to him to embrace the faith. God gave increase to his ministry.” [Provincial Chapter Acts 1743, p. 278. ]
bl. HYACINTH CASTAÑEDA, c.o.p.
Hyacinth was born on January 13, 1743 in the ancient city of Játiva in the province of Valencia (Spain), the fatherland of saints, Popes and artists. He received the Dominican habit in his native city. Ordained a priest, he and a companion were assigned to the missionary apostolate in the Celestial Empire, where they arrived in April 1766.
Hyacinth’s stay in China was brief because he was denounced very shortly after his arrival. When captured, he was weighed down with chains and imprisoned in Fogan. He wrote: “We were taken to various tribunals fourteen times; at last, they pronounced the sentence of exile.” For this reason, the two were returned to Macao at the end of 1769. In February 1770, Hyacinth left for the mission of Tonkin in North Vietnam. “I did not find the Annamese language hard to learn because it was much like Chinese,” he would say.
Hyacinth was not free from persecution in his new mission. On two occasions, he fell into the hands of the persecutors as he was fleeing in a small boat. One time, he was forced to hide in the keel of the boat, staying there for several hours, covered with boards. As a consequence of this episode, he fell gravely ill and hovered between life and death for several days. Eventually, he was captured on July 12, 1773.
And if this wasn’t enough, afflictions of the spirit were added to the bodily pains, with which the Lord wished to test him. He wrote: “No doubt, you know of my tribulations, of my imprisonment, and of the cage in which I remain, stuck here since August 5th. I am waiting now to appear in Court, which I think will occur one of these days.”
While Hyacinth was in the prison of Hung-yet, he saw a prisoner in a cage being brought in. He recognized at once that it was his brother in religion, the native Vincent Liem [Le Duang] of Peace. These two venerable men suffered the same fate, passing through the same Calvary from that moment on. From the prison in Hung-yen, the two — in their respective cages — were taken to a prison in Hanoi. Having appeared before the tribunal several times, both gained a reputation for great learning and their remarkable knowledge of the Chinese language. This proficiency is not surprising, however, for Father Castañeda had been a missionary in China for years, and of course, Father Liem —as a native Vietnamese— had studied thoroughly the Chinese characters that “form the elegance of the Vietnamese language.”
In all their appearances before the tribunal, the two proved with solid arguments the superiority of the Christian Religion and its position as the only true religion. “If this is so,” asked the Queen Mother, “what is going to happen to those of us who are not Christian?” Father Vincent answered: “The destiny of the non-Christian is hell.” So angry was the Queen at this answer that she asked the Emperor to condemn the two missionaries to immediate death. The tribunal reconvened and endorsed the royal wish; the two were sentenced to death. The prisoners were taken to the door of the palace and again placed in their cages, after which the sentence of beheading was read to them.
Since Vincent was Vietnamese, however, it seemed to the authorities that maybe he should not be executed. Vincent protested: “If he is a Teacher of Religion, I am too. And if the law does not condemn me, neither should it condemn him. Therefore, if Father Hyacinth is to be beheaded, you should do the same to me.” Because of his words, the tribunal ratified the first sentence and the two priests were condemned to be decapitated. When the two arrived at the place of execution, they gave each other the kiss of peace. Then the executioners carried out the sentence. On November 7, 1773, their heads fell and their souls flew to their eternal dwelling.
Prayers/Commemorations
First Vespers:
Ant. The souls of the Saints who followed in the footsteps of Christ rejoice in heaven: and because for love of Him they poured out their blood, therefore shall they reign forever with Christ.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Jerome, Valentine, Francis, Hyacinth and Companions
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Lauds:
Ant. These are the Saints, who for love of God despised the threats of men: the holy Martyrs triumph with the angels in the kingdom of heaven. O how precious is the death of the Saints, who constantly assist before the Lord and are not separated one from another!
V. Wonderful is God
R. In His Saints
Ant. God will wipe every tear from the eyes of the Saints: and mourning there will be no more, neither weeping nor any sorrow because the former things have passed away.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Jerome, Valentine, Francis, Hyacinth and Companions
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer
Let us Pray: O God, who hast deigned to enrich Thy Church with the blood of the Blessed Martyrs Jerome, Valentine, Francis, Hyacinth and Companions, grant propitiously that we may be aided by the prayers and merits of those whose triumphs we joyfully celebrate. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
