Saint Paul Le Van LOC, priest and martyr (Feb 13)

Saint Paul Le Van LOC, priest and martyr

 
                                                               
          Born          :  1831
          In Penang  :  1846-1853?                (15)
          Ordained   :  1856                           (25)
          Beheaded  :  1859       (Feb 13)       (28)
          Beatified    :  1909
          Canonised :  1988       (June 19)  
 
1831 Paul Loc was born in Chi Hoa, near Saigon in Annamese Cochin China.  His father was a Christian doctor while his mother was a new convert.

1846 While in College General, the first few years were difficult due to his poor health but later he became one of the top students.

1856 After being ordained, he served in An Nhon but ill health required him to rest for a year.

Fr Loc was put in charge of a College in Thi Nghe where he taught Christian Doctrine and the elements of Latin to young men preparing for studies at College General, Penang.

Fr Loc was a gentle person with a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1858 Persecution forced him to close the school and he took refuge in the home of a Christian family. However, he was betrayed by a servant and was arrested when he confessed that he was a priest.  With his knowledge for foreign languages, Fr Paul Loc was offered a high civilian post if he would renounce his faith.  He flatly refused and was sentenced to death.  The official sentence of strangulation was changed to beheading.
 
He was happy, joyful and willing to suffer for Christ. Buried in parish of Cho Quan.

Summary of The Lives of The Main Martyrs of College General

Source: www.rc.net