John Dat d. 1798 c. 1988

Good Morning

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[date and time coincidence. Maybe I should pick 1023 as the lottery number?}

Writing isn’t writing isn’t writing. And, though not mutually exclusive, when I write in one forum/medium, I am less likely to put the effort into another: although some of the same feeloughts belong in more than one. I’m obligated to writing in each of the forums (fora?), but as you can see with the dates on the blog, writing is one of many obligations I don’t do so well with. Ora pro me.


October 28

St John Dat d. 1798 c. 1988

It is unlikely that John is Dat’s given-at-birth name. Though it is likely his baptismal name, it may be an Anglicized Jean since it is more likely that it was a French missionary who baptized him. The absent, important parts of his bio [important as in Little Prince important] in the online blurb would fill in the development of the man’s faith and holiness. The speculation is worthy of a short story but not particularly strong meditative value. If you had 40 words to summarize a saint’s life to inspire the faithful what would you write?

That this native Vietnamese was a martyr, beheaded three months after being arrested in 1798, his ordination year?

That he was canonized by JPII in 1988?

What about whether he was born Catholic? Being a Vietnamese convert in the 18th century was almost an invitation to martyrdom. That would tell us something about the man’s calling. It would tell us more about God’s persistent love and allure under the worst of circumstances. (Think England since Henry VIII.)

Convert or not, why did the man become a priest? A choice that tweaked the nose of the mighty! In deferential southeast Asia. Why does a man do such a thing? How are we called to do similar things – to respond to God’s love; to serve God’s children with the one true faith regardless of family, friends, and the anti-Catholicism of the community and culture and power brokers.

Many – almost all - Catholics lived a full life in 18th century Vietnam. John Dat could have chosen to do the same. He chose instead to stand out. To stand up.

In addition to God’s love, how did his family and friends, community of Catholics, support this almost unimaginable response to God’s call? The support he was given put these Catholics (and, likely nonCatholics) at risk as well. More evidence of the Hand of God. More lessons for our being better Catholics.

What forty words would you write about John Dat? About yourself?

AMDG
wtn
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