Asia's Newest Blessed: Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp of Vietnam

On July 2, 2026, the Catholic Church witnessed and celebrated the beatification of Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp, the first 20th-century Vietnamese martyr officially recognized!  

Born on January 1, 1897 in An Giang Province, Vietnam and ordained a priest in 1924 in Phnom Penh, Fr Diep served as a priest of the Tắc Sậy Parish for 16 years in the Mekong Delta.

On March 12, 1946, amid the chaos after World War II, armed men arrested him and over 70 parishioners. He could have abandoned his flock. But instead, Fr. Diệp stayed with them.

A true martyr, when the attackers threatened to kill everyone, he offered his own life in exchange for theirs and was killed.

His final act echoed Christ’s words: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13).

As a priest, he was known for his tireless care for the poor, building churches, founding parishes, and defending the vulnerable during turbulent times.

For decades, his tomb at Tắc Sậy has been a powerful place of pilgrimage. Countless people — Catholics and even non-Catholics — report miracles, healing, and answered prayers through his intercession.

Pope Francis recognized his martyrdom in 2024. He was beatified on July 2, 2026 at Tắc Sậy Church in Cà Mau Province by Pope Leo, represented by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Blessed Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp, pray for us!

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Homily of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

Pro-Prefect of the Dicasery for Evangelization

Special Envoy of Pope Leo XIV

Beatification of Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp

Tac Say Pilgrimage Center, Ca Mau, Vietnam

July 2, 2026

My dear brothers and sisters, we praise the Lord who has gathered us today as His family in the Eucharist as we celebrate the inclusion Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp, parish priest of Tắc Sậy among the blessed martyrs of the Catholic Church. Through him, the church in Vietnam is also blessed. He is also God's blessing to the whole Church and to humanity.

Many people, even among Christians, are probably asking, How can a martyr like Fr. Francis Xavier Diep, who was brutally treated and killed, how can he be considered blessed? Is it not more logical to call a martyr miserable and unhappy rather than blessed?

Let me offer some reflections.

First, today's beatification leads us back to Jesus' teachings in the 5th chapter of Matthew about true blessedness and happiness. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven. For they persecuted the prophets before you."

So, those who are persecuted for the sake of justice and for the sake of Jesus are blessed. Because while rejected by the world, they will be rewarded in God's kingdom.

Persecution for the sake of Jesus is the key to being blessed. Some are persecuted but not for the sake of Jesus. A person can embrace persecution for the sake of the name of Jesus only if he or she belongs to Jesus and not to the world, if he or she loves Jesus more than the world.

In the Gospel of St. John it is clear that Jesus chose us to belong to him and not to evil. To keep his word and not the lies spread by the world. To be united with him even when it is dangerous and not only when it is convenient.

A true disciple profoundly loves Jesus, remains with Jesus and shares in his persecution.

Brothers and sisters, Blessed Fr. Francis Xavier Diep is inviting each one of us to respond to Jesus' calling: to choose Jesus, to cling to the words of Jesus and to proclaim the name of Jesus in our daily lives.

So I ask you, what will we choose? Becoming rich by corruption or remaining poor but honest? No answer (laughs). What will we choose: accumulating property that you do not need or sharing them with the poor and the needy? (mumbles) What will you choose seeking your own safety and convenience or embracing the suffering of others?

If we choose Jesus, you will be blessed.

Blessed are you like Saint Francis Xavier Diep.

This brings me to a second reflection:

What does it mean to be a martyr?

We often associate martyrdom with suffering and death. But like blessedness for the sake of justice and the sake of Jesus's name, martyrdom—martyria—means witnessing to Jesus.

A martyr proclaims the truth about Jesus through his words, deeds and relationships. A martyr's willingness to die for the truth of Jesus brings more credibility to his testimony. A martyr is  a missionary par excellence.

Who can give authentic witness to Jesus? Only those who live by the truth of Jesus.

In the second reading, St. Peter says, "Beloved, in your hearts, reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and reverence."

A martyr joyfully, gently, and courageously keeps the light of Jesus brightly shining even when those who reject Jesus try to extinguish that light.

Blessed Francis Xavier Diep never wavered in manifesting the charity and justice of Jesus to the poor, the love of Jesus that embraces all—even non-Christians—and the fidelity of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who does not leave his flock alone to be devoured by wolves, thieves, and marauders.

Blessed Francis Xavier Diep is inviting all of us not to deny Jesus but to be witnesses or martyrs of his truth.

So I ask you again, which will we choose: to spread fake news or the teachings of Jesus?

What will we choose: to behave and dress according to the latest fashion or according to the charity and simplicity of Jesus?

What will we choose: to be proud of our worldly achievements or to be proud of Jesus?

A true martyr helps a confused world to discover the truth of Jesus.

The world today needs true martyrs, messengers, bearers of truth. Let us not add to the increasing number of messengers of falsehood, hatred, division, and violence.

For our final reflection ...

We realize that the relationship of a martyr with Jesus, especially during persecution is sustained by hope.

As St. Peter says in our Second Reading, Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

Jesus's life and mission did not end with suffering and death but in his resurrection and glorification.

Jesus is truly risen! Jesus rules now—now!—in God's kingdom. Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us now.

The faith in the Risen Lord gives hope to disciples and martyrs. The future glory promised by Jesus is real and present to us now.

The repentant criminal crucified with Jesus begged him, "Remember me when you enter into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, today—today!—you will be with me in paradise." The criminal asked to be remembered in Jesus's kingdom. He will be in the mind and heart of Jesus eternally in paradise.

The world may forget us but the Lord will remember us forever in his kingdom starting today.

St Stephen, the first martyr in the First Reading saw the heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God while Stephen was being killed. Seeing clearly their future destination in the glory of Jesus, the martyrs could bear insults, beatings, and the sword.

We could say that Blessed Francis Xavier Diep must have had a vision of Jesus, his eternal king looking at him, remembering him and welcoming him.

Hope in Christ makes martyrs firm but gentle before their persecutors.

Brothers and sisters, Blessed Francis Xavier Diep is inviting us to place our home only in Jesus and only in his kingdom. Only hope in Jesus and his kingdom can give meaning and sustain our lives and mission on earth, not the fleeting treasures of the world.

So I ask you, what will we choose? Will we rely on earthly wealth or on the everlasting riches in the kingdom of Jesus? What will we choose: will we rely on fame, the number of followers and likes in social media or on Jesus's promise to be with us forever? What will we choose: will we rely on weapons of war or on Jesus's gift of peace?

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Peace always guide us.

Blessed Francis Xavier Diep, pray for us.

Watch the full homily here:

Story and transcription by Margaux Salcedo

Photo credit: TGP Saigon