Story by Randy Porter
LINCOLN (SNR) – The Feast of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions Nov. 24 has special meaning for Vietnamese parishioners and others in Lincoln.
Many are unfamiliar with the heart-wrenching story of the saint and his fellow martyrs. But parishioners in the Vietnamese-speaking churches of St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lincoln know well how Saint Andrew and 117 martyrs suffered for Christ.
Having two such thriving parishes in the community demonstrates Vietnamese Catholics’ devotion in the Lincoln area. Also Vietnamese, the Diocesan Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Mercy observes the feast of Saint Andrew and the martyrs.
For Tan Pham of Lincoln, however, what happened to the martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II June 19, 1988 has an extra-special meaning. Pham is a direct relative of one of the canonized martyrs, Laurenso (Lorenso) Ngon Pham Viet.
“My great-great-grandfather was one of the martyrs,” said Pham, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln. “My family and I know for sure he is our direct relative because the information has been passed down within the family. We don’t have to wonder about it.”
Pham learned from his father and his father before him. The companion of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was canonized with the other martyrs.
He and his family participate in various activities in Vietnamese-language parishes. The direct relative wants his children to learn about the language and the culture. He has told the children about the Vietnamese saints. They have discussed the subject on various occasions.
Pham and his wife, Linh Nguyen, have three children, Minh-Triet N. Pham, 14, Thien-An N. Pham, 12, and Chau-Son N. Pham, 10. They attend St. Joseph School. Pham’s father, Thanh Pham, 95, also resides in Lincoln. Only three generations separate the martyr from Tan Pham’s father. The saint’s relatives are uncertain if there are other relatives of the martyrs in the diocese.
Tan Pham, his parents and seven siblings moved from Vietnam to Lincoln as refugees 27 years ago, Oct. 20, 1993.
Five siblings also remained in Lincoln. His oldest sister lives in San Diego with her family. His youngest brother resides in Dallas. Pham’s family of 10 has grown into a clan of 31 with in-laws, nephews and nieces.
Tan Pham works for Technology Services, City of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities.
Direct relative
Born in 1840, Laurenso (Lorenso) Ngon Pham Viet was martyred before the heroic witness of his mother and his dear wife May 22, 1862.
His parents were exemplary Catholics. He married a young Catholic woman of the same parish and was a good patriarch, loving his wife and children, and faithful to Christianity.
In order to support his family, the martyr worked as a farmer and cultivated diligently like many lay people in the village. He was accused of being Christian, forbidden by the brutal dictatorship, and arrested. He was beaten, tortured and terrified. Yet, he remained courageous and firm in the Faith.
After nearly nine months of imprisonment, blasphemy and humiliating torture, he was beheaded May 22, 1862. Before being beheaded, he turned to his mother, raised his hand, bowed goodbye and then knelt.
Pope Pius XII named him Blessed on April 29, 1951 and Pope John Paul II raised him to the rank of martyrdom June 19, 1988.
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