Paul Lê Bảo Tịnh was a Vietnamese priest, seminary teacher, and martyr, born around 1793 in Thanh Hóa province. Imprisoned for his faith under the persecutions of Emperor Tự Đức, he wrote a famous letter from prison describing his chains as a grace, and was beheaded for Christ on April 6, 1857. He was canonized in 1988 by Pope John Paul II among the 117 Martyrs of Vietnam.
From the midst of suffering he wrote that his prison was full of the presence of God, showing that no darkness is beyond the reach of grace. His steadfast peace teaches us to trust that Christ stays close to us in our heaviest trials, and that love is stronger than death.
Saint Paul Le Bao Tinh, faithful priest and martyr of Vietnam, pray for us, that in every trial we may find Christ beside us and hold fast to hope. Amen.Enter today’s Mass → All saints →