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🕊️ Birth: 1796
🏠 Birthplace: Cù Lao Giêng, An Giang, Việt Nam
⚰️ Death: 31 July 1859 (aged 62–63)
🙏 Venerated in: Roman Catholic Church
🩸 Martyred under: Emperor Tự Đức, Nguyễn Dynasty
🕊️ Beatified: 2 May 1909 by Pope Pius X
👑 Canonized: 19 June 1988, Rome by Pope John Paul II
🎉 Feast Day: 31 July
“He laid down his life for Christ with joy and courage.”
Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng was born in 1796 in the Đầu Nước parish, one of the oldest Catholic communities in southern Vietnam, located in Cù Lao Giêng (now part of the Long Xuyên Diocese), Tấn Đức village, An Bình commune, An Giang province, under the Châu Đốc region. Physically, he had a lean, wiry build, typical of a diligent laborer. His family earned a stable income through mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing. His wife, Anna Của, was a traditional healer, using unique family remedies to aid the poor. As a devoted family man, Phụng exemplified his role as a faithful husband and dedicated father, raising nine children, all nurtured to be devout Catholics and obedient family members. Despite limited formal education, he was intelligent and a shining example of faith for his children.
Due to his integrity, decisiveness, and zeal for apostolic work, Phụng was elected as the “Câu” (head) of the Đầu Nước parish in Cù Lao Giêng. He also served as the village’s Lý trưởng (second-highest official, later called Cai xã), earning the title Lý Phụng. Respected by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, he was a trusted leader. His deep desire was for the parish to have regular public Masses and a resident priest. When priests were unavailable during major feasts, he sought clergy from neighboring parishes, and their absence caused him great sorrow, sometimes bringing him to tears.
Phụng’s compassion extended to the poor and those facing material or spiritual hardships, especially the sick. During a plague, he acquired a boat to transport priests to administer sacraments to the dying. In one instance, in Bò Ót, he advised a wealthy but suffering Catholic, who had profited from usury, to destroy debt papers as an act of repentance. Following Phụng’s guidance, the man complied, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and died peacefully.
With his deep faith and dedication, Phụng taught catechism to children and catechumens. Bishop Lefebvre (Ngãi) appointed him as a catechist instructor, not only for Cù Lao Giêng but for the entire Châu Đốc region, recognizing his commitment and effectiveness.
During the intense persecution under Emperor Tự Đức, Phụng boldly built a church, rectory, convent for the Daughters of Mary, and a seminary in secret. Driven by his love for God, he protected priests and parishioners despite the risks. He invited missionaries to stay at his home, remaining vigilant at night, patrolling, and only sleeping when safety was assured. His calm demeanor prevented false alarms, earning him the title “daily bread” from five missionaries, including Vietnamese priests, who stayed at his home over three years.
Phụng’s actions drew attention from anti-Christians, who reported him to the authorities. However, his skillful relations with the district mandarin ensured he was warned of inspections, allowing him to hide liturgical items. When officials arrived, he welcomed them warmly, and finding no evidence, they reported the parish’s compliance with state laws. This enabled grand liturgical celebrations, including torchlit processions, even during strict persecution. The strategic location of Cù Lao Giêng, separated by two large rivers, aided concealment, with Phụng organizing watchmen to alert the parish of approaching troops.
In 1855, Phụng welcomed Father Pernot Định, a foreign missionary, to his home to administer sacraments. He also oversaw church and classroom renovations. Two non-Catholic brothers, Trần Văn Mưu and Trần Văn Nén, known for gambling and opium use, attempted to extort money by threatening church workers, claiming they violated state laws. Protected by the district mandarin, Phụng ignored them. The brothers then reported him to provincial authorities, but investigations found no evidence due to his precautions.
The brothers spied on Phụng’s home, spotting Father Pernot one moonlit night. They reported this to the Châu Đốc governor, accusing Phụng of harboring a foreign priest and building religious structures. On January 7, 1859, 300 soldiers with 15 boats surrounded Cù Lao Giêng. Unaware, Phụng was at home with Father Pernot and Father Phêrô Đoàn Công Quí during Mass. Warned by a parish official, Phụng could not hide liturgical items but sent the priests to safety. Father Quí stayed, believing he could hide. Soldiers arrested Phụng, Quí, and 32 parishioners after Quí declared himself the priest, though the commander sought a Western priest.
In Châu Đốc, Phụng faced interrogation, steadfastly affirming his faith and refusing to renounce it, even when offered freedom and titles. Sentenced to death by “bá đao” for harboring a priest, he was imprisoned for over six months, remaining calm and sharing supplies with others. He encouraged visitors to stay faithful, love their enemies, and accept his trials as God’s will. When his accusers sought money from his wife, he urged her to forgive and help them.
Phụng hoped for release, envisioning rebuilding the church with grand pillars. His wife, treating the sick with medicinal wine, cured the mandarin’s paralysis. Grateful, the mandarin offered to free Phụng for 80 quan, but Phụng refused, prioritizing martyrdom over temporary freedom. On July 30, 1859, Emperor Tự Đức’s decree upheld the death sentence, changed to strangulation at the mandarin’s request to spare Phụng a gruesome death.
On July 31, 1859, Phụng and Quí were led to the “Cây Mét” execution ground. Phụng remained resolute, refusing to renounce his faith. En route, he comforted his family, urging them to stay faithful. At the site, he gave his crucifix and scapular to his granddaughter, instructing her to wear them and stay devout. After receiving final absolution, he told his children to forgive his accusers and bury him simply. Strangled at 10:00 AM, he died courageously, witnessed by many who admired his faith.
The mandarin delayed releasing the bodies but allowed it by evening. Father Quí was buried at Năng Gù, while Phụng’s body was laid out at Đầu Nước for a day before burial near the church. On May 2, 1909, Pope Pius X declared him Blessed. On June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized him as Saint Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng, among the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs.
- “Life of Father Quí and Lý Phụng” by Father Phaolô Vân, 1909.
- Phan Phát Huồn, Vietnam Church History, Vol. 1, Saigon, 1965, pp. 470-472.
- Father Dũng Lạc Trần Cao Tường, Saint Emmanuel Lê Văn Phụng.
- Father Borelle’s account, Annals of the Propagation of the Faith, No. 33, 1860.
- Oral accounts from Cù Lao Giêng parishioners.
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