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Micae Hồ Đình Hy
Official Thái Bộc
1808 - 1857
Feast Day: May 22nd
#Layman
A living portrait.
Standing before the painting “BEHOLD THE MAN” (Ecce Homo), depicting Jesus after being scourged presented by Pilate to the people (Jn 19:5), St. Teresa of Avila recounted:
“That vivid painting portraying the wounded Jesus moved me as soon as I saw it. I felt myself trembling, as I perceived the sufferings that Christ endured for us. My heart seemed to break from remorse for my own infidelities that had wounded Him. I immediately knelt before His presence, tears streaming down, begging Him to grant me the strength for the rest of my life, so that from now on I would never again offend Him...”
In the history of the Vietnamese Church, the painting “BEHOLD THE MAN” was depicted not on canvas, but in the wounded figure of Quan Thái Bộc Hồ Đình Hy, who was paraded through the Huế marketplace and citadel for three days, with soldiers announcing his name and crime of “Leftist Teaching” before him. That portrait, the saintly man accepted in order to demonstrate his repentance and faith.
As a loyal official
Micae Hồ Đình Hy was born in 1808 in Nhu Lâm, Thừa Thiên province to an official’s family. He was the youngest of 12 siblings. From a young age he studied under Confucian scholars. It seems he also knew some English and French. When starting his career, he worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Public Works. At age 20, he married Ms. Lucia Tân, and they had 5 children together. Their eldest later became a priest, studying in Penang and eventually ordained as Fr. Thịnh. As Hy competently fulfilled every task assigned to him, he was promoted to Assistant, holding the 6th rank.
Under the reign of Emperor Tự Đức, he rose to the position of Quan Thái Bộc, 3rd rank, specifically overseeing the silk and textile industry nationwide. His prestige grew as the king placed greater trust in him. When some jealous officials petitioned to dismiss Quan Hồ Đình Hy, Emperor Tự Đức replied:
“It is not possible to dismiss him, because he has conscientiously fulfilled his responsibilities. Previously, no one held that post for longer than two years. Until now, I have had no reason to reproach him. Perhaps I should even increase his salary to match his work.”
Though serving under a persecuting king, Quan Thái Bộc did not hesitate to show he was Catholic. At home he prominently displayed an altar to God, with lit candles and flowers daily. However, interacting with other officials, he was negatively influenced and strayed from fidelity twice: he had relations with a young woman, fathering three illegitimate children. To make amends for his mistake, he had them baptized and raised them properly like his lawful children. He strove to perform many good works to compensate for his sins, begging God’s forgiveness. One day he confided to friends: “I think even if I took the water of all the rivers on earth, it could not wash away my sins. It seems only my own blood can truly cleanse them.”
Here we can recall some examples of how he lived:
A man was falsely accused of stealing from the royal storehouses. Quan Thái Bộc intervened to ask Emperor Tự Đức to pardon him. This man came to thank his savior, placing a large bag of money on the table. But Hy told him “Take this money and leave immediately, or else I will hand you over to the authorities right now.” Many who heard this were amazed, remarking “We have never seen anyone so virtuous.” The pardoned man was surprised to have offended the integrity of his benefactor.
Another man addicted to opium fell gravely ill, and was introduced to Quan Thái Bộc’s home. The official welcomed him very warmly, arranging for him to stay in a hut behind the house. Then each day before going to work and returning, Quan Thái Bộc always stopped to visit and care for the patient. When criticized, he replied “We must perform many good deeds to make up for our sins. And once begun, they should be done wholeheartedly, not perfunctorily, in order to gain merit.” And so he continued attentively caring for 15 days, until the sick man passed away. Hy even carefully and thoroughly arranged the funeral.
In the region a very poor man sold his two young daughters to a foreigner. Upon learning of this, Quan Hồ Đình Hy paid to ransom the girls back, had them baptized, and raised them until adulthood. Later, with great generosity he granted their requests, one to become a nun and one to marry.
Bishop Pellerin, in charge of Eastern Cochinchina, trusted him and tasked him with supporting the catechists in Thừa Thiên province; later entrusting him with overseeing the mission’s property and facilities in the diocese. With these new duties, he contributed greatly of his own money and labor for the Church. Once while the Bishop was visiting communities, his boat was struck by another. Its owner demanded compensation, so Hy immediately took off his own fine garment and handed it over, though knowing the accident wasn’t his fault, but wanting to ensure the Bishop’s safety.
All for Christ
In late 1856, when the French bombarded Đà Nẵng harbor, Quan Thái Bộc Hồ Đình Hy was arrested. The court charged him with sending his son to study in Penang, meaning he had foreign ties. He was immediately imprisoned in Huế.
Emperor Tự Đức ordered soldiers to coerce Hy’s confession by any means, forcing him to apostatize, identifying foreign missionaries and Vietnamese priests, even Catholic soldiers. He stubbornly refused to abandon his faith, but from intense torture involuntarily named a few believers. In fact, he assumed they had fled elsewhere, but unexpectedly his words enabled the authorities to arrest 29 people. Of them, eight apostatized, while the other 21 remained steadfast in faith, though branded “Leftist” on their faces and exiled. Deeming all were arrested because of him, Hy wept in remorse, confessing his sin and begging God’s forgiveness, determined to wash away that mistake with his own blood.
Once Emperor Tự Đức himself urged Hy to reconsider and at least pretend to apostatize. He frankly refused: “For 30 years serving under three kings, I have always been a patriot loyal to my country. I will endure any torment to resemble Christ, atone for my sins, and die a holy death.”
Returning to prison, he told his friends: “I see my life is nearly over. I only hope to remain steadfast in faith to the final moment.”
To resemble the Divine Master
On April 30, 1857 Emperor Tự Đức condemned Quan Hồ Đình Hy: “Disdaining the nation’s laws, following the Leftist Teaching, sending his son to Singapore to visit the priest Oai and discuss ties with the French. Clearly a hypocrite deserving death a thousand times. I order he must be beheaded as a warning.”
The Emperor detailed the execution: “I command five court officials and 15 soldiers to parade him around the citadel for three days. Passing through markets and public places, his crimes must be announced for people to know... Moreover, at each street corner add 30 strokes of the rod. After three days thus, behead him. Perhaps the Catholics will be shamed and repent.”
In May soldiers carried out his orders: leading Quan Thái Bộc through Huế's streets, stopping to beat him at two locations, totaling 60 strokes each day. A soldier preceded announcing: “Hồ Đình Hy, follower of the false teaching, unfilial and defiant of the court’s laws. Therefore he is condemned to death. The Catholics believe dying for their faith earns heavenly blessings. Whether true or false, no one knows. Where now is the Jesus of Hồ Đình Hy, who sees his suffering yet does not save him?”
Thus, Quan Hồ Đình Hy, the Vietnamese “BEHOLD THE MAN”, was pitifully and shamefully dragged through the streets. But the official remained patient to the end, never abandoning his faith. On the morning of May 22 he was brought to the execution grounds. Many gathered to watch. Whether Buddhist or Catholic, they sadly mourned the upright and kindhearted man. Passing An Hòa bridge, he told the soldiers “Why go so far? Here I have many friends and relatives.” So instead of Đốc Sơ hill, he was executed right there.
Being a famous official, he was permitted a final courtesy: leisurely washing his hands and face, then calmly sitting cross-legged on a mat, peacefully finishing one last cigarette. Afterwards he calmly tidied his hair and clothes to be neat, then fervently knelt in prayer... Two Vietnamese priests hidden in the crowd covertly gave him absolution. Finally he bowed his head for the executioner to fulfill his duty. Heaven had already opened its gates to welcome the heroic martyr’s soul.
Pope Pius X beatified Quan Thái Bộc Hồ Đình Hy on May 2, 1909. On June 19, 1988 Pope John Paul II canonized him a Saint.