<p>Andrew Dung-Lac was born in Tran An Dung, Vietnam in 1795.&nbsp; He took the name of Andrew at his baptism, and was ordained a Priest on March 15^th, 1823.&nbsp; During persecution in Vietnam, Andrew Dung changed his name to Lac, to avoid capture.&nbsp; He is now memorialized as Andrew Dung-Lac.&nbsp; His memorial along with that of his companions is November 24.&nbsp; This memorial celebrates all of the Vietnamese Martyrs of the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries, covering the years from 1625 &ndash; 1886.&nbsp; Andrew Dung-Lac like most of his companions was beheaded for his faith. &nbsp;</p> <p>Missionary efforts from various religious families beginning in the sixteenth century and continuing until 1866, allowed the Vietnamese people to hear the message of the Gospel.&nbsp; Many accepted it despite persecution and even being put to death.&nbsp; June 19, 1988, Pope Paul II canonized 117 persons martyred in the eighteenth century.&nbsp; Among these were ninety-six Vietnamese.&nbsp; These martyrs gave not only their lives for he Church, but for their country as well.&nbsp; They showed that they wanted the Gospel of Christ to take root in their people, and contribute to the good of their homeland.&nbsp; On June 1, 1989, these holy martyrs were inscribed in the liturgical calendar of the Universal Church on November 24^th. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p>St. Andrew Dung-Lac was an ordained Priest in Vietnam.&nbsp; He and his companions lived through the times of persecution in their country.&nbsp; They believed that the Gospel of Christ needed to be spread throughout Vietnam, and continued with this mission, even facing death themselves.&nbsp; Eventually St. Andrew and his companions were captured and beheaded for their faith.&nbsp; It is only by the heroic efforts of these great saints that Catholicism is alive today in Vietnam.&nbsp; Where would our faith be, if these great saints had not risked their lives to spread the Gospel?&nbsp; Pope John Paul II canonized St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions on June 19, 1988. &nbsp;</p>