Biography
Peter Trương Văn Thi
About Peter Trương Văn Thi
Peter Trương Văn Thi was a Vietnamese priest remembered for years of ministry at Sông Chảy before his transfer to Kẻ Sông. Born at Kẻ Sở in 1763, he worked as a catechist before receiving priestly ordination in 1806.
The Hanoi archdiocese’s account describes his simple way of living and concern for sick parishioners. During persecution under Minh Mạng, he continued his ministry while sheltering in believers’ homes. He was arrested with Andrew Dũng Lạc and refused to abandon his faith.
By the time of his execution, age and illness had weakened him. The same account remembers a Christian soldier helping carry him. Peter was beheaded at Ô Cầu Giấy on December 21, 1839.
John Paul II canonized him in 1988 among the 117 martyrs of Vietnam. The canonization document names him among the priests, separately from the lay martyr Peter Trương Văn Đường.
His remembrance continues at Sở Kiện. Nguyễn Thế Nam’s study identifies a shrine there honoring both Peter Trương Văn Thi and Peter Trương Văn Đường. The author places such shrines within the wider growth of pilgrimage and local martyr devotion following the 1988 canonization. This later history shows how remembrance of particular people became part of a community’s religious life.
Wondering how to weigh the stories and sources? Learn how to read a saint biography.