André Dũng-Lạc
v. 1795-1839 19th century Feast day: November 24
Ceasing to flee in order to stay faithful, holding the faith to the end.
Who was André Dũng-Lạc?
A Vietnamese priest born into a poor and pagan family, ransomed as a child, who became a catechist and then a priest in the time of the persecutions. Arrested and freed for ransom several times, he came to accept death rather than keep hiding. Beheaded in 1839, he gives his name to all the martyrs of Vietnam.
In their own words
He who dies for the faith goes up to heaven; but we hide ceaselessly and pay to escape the persecutors. It is better to let ourselves be taken and die.