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Five Loaves & Two Fish
Venerable Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan spent thirteen years in communist prisons in his home country of Vietnam. A priest of extraordinary faith and courage, he still remained in contact with the faithful under his care by sending out secret messages of encouragement and advice on scraps of paper from his prison cell. His reflections are still published by Pauline Books & Media.
In Five Loaves and Two Fish, a book drawn from his remarks to young people at the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris, Cardinal Van Thuan reflects on his life and his relationship with God and his Church. In the same way that Jesus fed thousands with only five loaves and two fish, Cardinal Van Thuan, with characteristic humility, offers his own life as an example of the great things God can work through his servants. "Like the boy in the Gospel passage, I will recall my experience in seven points: my five loaves and two fish," he offers. "These are nothing, but it is all I have. Jesus will do the rest."
The Cardinal's story of suffering for God and his Church, told in his own words, is extraordinary enough. But it is the spiritual insights and reflections he shares in this book that make it a moving and essential read for any Catholic. Five Loaves and Two Fish is joyful and greatly encouraging, a powerful and contemporary testimony of faith. Like St. Paul, also imprisoned for his faith, Cardinal Van Thuan reminds us that a life devoted to God is the only one worth living, no matter the circumstances.
In Five Loaves and Two Fish, a book drawn from his remarks to young people at the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris, Cardinal Van Thuan reflects on his life and his relationship with God and his Church. In the same way that Jesus fed thousands with only five loaves and two fish, Cardinal Van Thuan, with characteristic humility, offers his own life as an example of the great things God can work through his servants. "Like the boy in the Gospel passage, I will recall my experience in seven points: my five loaves and two fish," he offers. "These are nothing, but it is all I have. Jesus will do the rest."
The Cardinal's story of suffering for God and his Church, told in his own words, is extraordinary enough. But it is the spiritual insights and reflections he shares in this book that make it a moving and essential read for any Catholic. Five Loaves and Two Fish is joyful and greatly encouraging, a powerful and contemporary testimony of faith. Like St. Paul, also imprisoned for his faith, Cardinal Van Thuan reminds us that a life devoted to God is the only one worth living, no matter the circumstances.
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2000
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August 4, 2023
Have you ever been in a concentration camp?
Me neither, not yet.
But from toddlerhood, I’ve wondered what it would be like to live in a concentration camp, never being released and even dying there.
This eccentric conviction of mine led me to prepare myself spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally to one day enter such a dramatic change of circumstances which I documented in my personal diaries right from the 6th grade. Venerable Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan’s book ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ will be one of those many books in the genre of Catholic Mysticism that has managed to make an indelible impression upon me. Venerable Nguyen Van Thuan’s book which consists of his message that he gave the Catholic Youth of the world during the World Youth Day Celebrations of 1997 will always remain with me till I die. I was a little girl of seven when this special day was shown on television, and that was the first time I saw the aged Pope John Paul II and thought in my innocence that he was overworking himself and needed rest. I realized as a mere child the value of youth in the church to revive, rejuvenate, and reform it.
The message of the Venerable Cardinal was given in 1997, but it centered on the convictions that he had during his incarceration in various Vietnamese Concentration Camps for a period of 13 years, 9 years of which he spent alone in solitary confinement. During that period, he used to still have the urge to write and to shepherd his faithful flock of believers. He therefore scrounged around for scraps of paper to write upon in the camp which ultimately became his international bestselling book ‘Road of Hope’, which consists of his philosophy, prayer life and ministry during that trying period in his life. This is what ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ is all about, about a something which is indeed ‘the elephant in the room’ of everything that happens in the world, that the world is not divided into good versus bad or right versus wrong. Instead it is divided into two groups – those who are in a concentration camp and those trying their very best to stay out of it and will stop at nothing to do so!
I came to this conviction very late in my life, and that is why this book resonated with me. I used to ‘prepare’ for it but be convinced nevertheless that it would not come to pass, that there was still some hope. Now I know that the only hope I can ever have is not from others but from myself. If I want to see that ‘hope’ then I’ll have to create ‘hope’ for others and in others. How to go about this? That is what this book of prayerful meditations will dwell upon.
The book is lucid, convincing, and is simplicity itself. It is not a propaganda tool of any sort but a simplified version of our own present-day reality, and how to combat it with inner resilience and strength of spirit. Venerable Cardinal’s story is moving, painful to read, and yet full of inspiration, especially for those incarcerated in the many jails and prisons of the world both physically and mentally, for something they have not done and that they are probably going to die there, forgotten by the world. Those involved in the Prison Ministry will find this book an easy motivational tool in their work and to gift to those in prison, including those convicted of criminal acts. Those who are being oppressed in their homes, countries, families, neighborhood, and by inner demons will also find this book beneficial.
It is easy to read and very tiny, but to speed read this title will be a mistake to do on the reader’s part. It is preferable to read it slowly and with a bit of humility – for today it was Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, tomorrow it could be me! The descriptions of concentration camp life in the book are minimal but effective. They are not mentioned to titillate widespread prevalent sadistic urges within us but to tell the truth. No graphic violence nor violent language is used in the book and so the book can be used to educate children as well. With three drops of wine and a piece of Host smuggled into solitary confinement in a flashlamp, Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan used to celebrate his mass in darkness, and yet we have so many priests today who find it ‘difficult’ to celebrate Mass for a greater length of time without a visible ‘congregation’. Theological topics like the Eucharist, Sacraments of the Church especially Reconciliation, brief views on the positive aspects of the Fathers of the Church, Pastoral theology for Catholic priests, religious and the laity are also touched upon briefly but succinctly. The language is simple, easy to understand and my copy which is a St. Paul’s Indian Imprint was a very cheap and clean copy. I’m aware that Kindle copies of this book are easily available, so grab your copy today!
I especially loved the last fish or second fish in the book. It consists of an inner ‘revolution’ procedure which one can apply to oneself with ease without the necessity to read any more self-help books. I also loved the portion where the Venerable Cardinal was ill and lay down for months together in solitary confinement near a narrow opening shaft without medical aid provided. Why? Read the book and find out!
Stop making excuses. Stop procrastinating saying that things will right themselves.
That is not a sign of hope, that is a sign of complacency. To rid ourselves of this complacent behaviour in our conditioning, we need to read this book, and start reinventing ourselves and the world we live in for the betterment of mankind as a whole and for the inclusion of all. Non-Catholics also can gain insight into certain simple theological teachings of Jesus’s death that will be informative and revealing.
Examples:
(Q1) Why do we suffer all our lives, but Jesus only ‘suffered’ for two days maximum, and His suffering is still considered greater than ours?
(Q2) Why do good people have to suffer till the end with no redemption?
(Q3) The truth of the lines in Saint John’s Gospel (John 21:18) which states, ‘I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (Subtle concentration camp allusion to Saint Peter according to most Asian mystical theologians)
So do get your copy of ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ today, and reinvent yourself for a more equitable society, a more peaceful world, and for a better future for our children and more so our grandchildren. Face your inner demons today with this book, before you tackle the demons roaming outside.
I don’t know what the Venerable Cardinal said or did after he was released, and don’t care for or about his statements in the press on politics, on religion, etc. What I care about is his great service in writing this book in particular and that makes him an amazing individual for me. And as a writer, I admire his tenacity to write on scraps of paper or the torn pages of old outdated calendars discarded by the guards. I would not have done that! Would you if you were in a concentration camp to which you were sent to die?
Kudos! Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan gets five stars from me!
Me neither, not yet.
But from toddlerhood, I’ve wondered what it would be like to live in a concentration camp, never being released and even dying there.
This eccentric conviction of mine led me to prepare myself spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally to one day enter such a dramatic change of circumstances which I documented in my personal diaries right from the 6th grade. Venerable Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan’s book ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ will be one of those many books in the genre of Catholic Mysticism that has managed to make an indelible impression upon me. Venerable Nguyen Van Thuan’s book which consists of his message that he gave the Catholic Youth of the world during the World Youth Day Celebrations of 1997 will always remain with me till I die. I was a little girl of seven when this special day was shown on television, and that was the first time I saw the aged Pope John Paul II and thought in my innocence that he was overworking himself and needed rest. I realized as a mere child the value of youth in the church to revive, rejuvenate, and reform it.
The message of the Venerable Cardinal was given in 1997, but it centered on the convictions that he had during his incarceration in various Vietnamese Concentration Camps for a period of 13 years, 9 years of which he spent alone in solitary confinement. During that period, he used to still have the urge to write and to shepherd his faithful flock of believers. He therefore scrounged around for scraps of paper to write upon in the camp which ultimately became his international bestselling book ‘Road of Hope’, which consists of his philosophy, prayer life and ministry during that trying period in his life. This is what ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ is all about, about a something which is indeed ‘the elephant in the room’ of everything that happens in the world, that the world is not divided into good versus bad or right versus wrong. Instead it is divided into two groups – those who are in a concentration camp and those trying their very best to stay out of it and will stop at nothing to do so!
I came to this conviction very late in my life, and that is why this book resonated with me. I used to ‘prepare’ for it but be convinced nevertheless that it would not come to pass, that there was still some hope. Now I know that the only hope I can ever have is not from others but from myself. If I want to see that ‘hope’ then I’ll have to create ‘hope’ for others and in others. How to go about this? That is what this book of prayerful meditations will dwell upon.
The book is lucid, convincing, and is simplicity itself. It is not a propaganda tool of any sort but a simplified version of our own present-day reality, and how to combat it with inner resilience and strength of spirit. Venerable Cardinal’s story is moving, painful to read, and yet full of inspiration, especially for those incarcerated in the many jails and prisons of the world both physically and mentally, for something they have not done and that they are probably going to die there, forgotten by the world. Those involved in the Prison Ministry will find this book an easy motivational tool in their work and to gift to those in prison, including those convicted of criminal acts. Those who are being oppressed in their homes, countries, families, neighborhood, and by inner demons will also find this book beneficial.
It is easy to read and very tiny, but to speed read this title will be a mistake to do on the reader’s part. It is preferable to read it slowly and with a bit of humility – for today it was Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, tomorrow it could be me! The descriptions of concentration camp life in the book are minimal but effective. They are not mentioned to titillate widespread prevalent sadistic urges within us but to tell the truth. No graphic violence nor violent language is used in the book and so the book can be used to educate children as well. With three drops of wine and a piece of Host smuggled into solitary confinement in a flashlamp, Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan used to celebrate his mass in darkness, and yet we have so many priests today who find it ‘difficult’ to celebrate Mass for a greater length of time without a visible ‘congregation’. Theological topics like the Eucharist, Sacraments of the Church especially Reconciliation, brief views on the positive aspects of the Fathers of the Church, Pastoral theology for Catholic priests, religious and the laity are also touched upon briefly but succinctly. The language is simple, easy to understand and my copy which is a St. Paul’s Indian Imprint was a very cheap and clean copy. I’m aware that Kindle copies of this book are easily available, so grab your copy today!
I especially loved the last fish or second fish in the book. It consists of an inner ‘revolution’ procedure which one can apply to oneself with ease without the necessity to read any more self-help books. I also loved the portion where the Venerable Cardinal was ill and lay down for months together in solitary confinement near a narrow opening shaft without medical aid provided. Why? Read the book and find out!
Stop making excuses. Stop procrastinating saying that things will right themselves.
That is not a sign of hope, that is a sign of complacency. To rid ourselves of this complacent behaviour in our conditioning, we need to read this book, and start reinventing ourselves and the world we live in for the betterment of mankind as a whole and for the inclusion of all. Non-Catholics also can gain insight into certain simple theological teachings of Jesus’s death that will be informative and revealing.
Examples:
(Q1) Why do we suffer all our lives, but Jesus only ‘suffered’ for two days maximum, and His suffering is still considered greater than ours?
(Q2) Why do good people have to suffer till the end with no redemption?
(Q3) The truth of the lines in Saint John’s Gospel (John 21:18) which states, ‘I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (Subtle concentration camp allusion to Saint Peter according to most Asian mystical theologians)
So do get your copy of ‘Five Loaves and Two Fish’ today, and reinvent yourself for a more equitable society, a more peaceful world, and for a better future for our children and more so our grandchildren. Face your inner demons today with this book, before you tackle the demons roaming outside.
I don’t know what the Venerable Cardinal said or did after he was released, and don’t care for or about his statements in the press on politics, on religion, etc. What I care about is his great service in writing this book in particular and that makes him an amazing individual for me. And as a writer, I admire his tenacity to write on scraps of paper or the torn pages of old outdated calendars discarded by the guards. I would not have done that! Would you if you were in a concentration camp to which you were sent to die?
Kudos! Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan gets five stars from me!
March 24, 2024
Perfect Lenten read. I had learned about the author through his reflections in the Magnificat. I always loved his writing, so I asked for one of his books for Christmas. Meggy got me this one, thank you sister! This cardinal has a really incredible story, though this was more of a couple small snippets from the bigger picture.
May 1, 2016
Perderé todo:
Pero me quedarás Tú.
Allí estará tu amor
para inundar mi corazón...
Mi felicidad será total...
Y por eso te repito:
Te he elegido a Ti
y tu gloria.
Pero me quedarás Tú.
Allí estará tu amor
para inundar mi corazón...
Mi felicidad será total...
Y por eso te repito:
Te he elegido a Ti
y tu gloria.
August 30, 2020
Casi nada, cinco panes y dos peces, pero era “todo” lo que tenía... Yo no esperaré. Vivo el momento presente colmándolo de amor.
February 16, 2024
This is an incredible albeit tiny read. One I will keep out and return to for awhile for prayer purposes. Written by a bishop who was tortured and kept in solitary confinement in Vietnam for 9 years. It reveals the spirituality that kept him alive and faithful all those years. My favorite part was how he speaks about praying with just a few words or a sentence from scripture, and just letting those prayers flow through your everyday life, as naturally as water. Absolutely gorgeous!
January 1, 2019
Nguyen Van Thuan writes during his 13 years of imprisonment an impassioned story of love. Each loaf and fish is a principal he's learned during those years of confinement and suffering and he shares openly his vision and purpose. Inspiring.
May 6, 2024
Un pequeño libro de reflexiones cuyo principal valor reside en que los consejos que se nos dan (bajo los epígrafes de cinco panes y dos peces) son los que sirvieron a monseñor Van Thuan para resistir los trece años de cautiverio (nueve de ellos en completo aislamiento), bajo el régimen comunista de Vietnam. Las reflexiones se acompañan de fragmentos del discurso del Papa Juan Pablo II a los Jóvenes durante la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud de 1997. Estos cinco panes y dos peces son: vivir el momento presente, distinguir entre Dios y las obras de Dios, la oración, la Eucaristía, la búsqueda de la unidad de todos los hombres en Jesús, el amor a María y elegir a Jesús en nuestra vida.
February 28, 2022
A challenging, encouraging glimpse into the interior world of one who prayed, during one of his nine years of solitary confinement, “If you were to permit me to choose / I would change nothing, / because you are with me!”
May 8, 2024
Excellent! Made me think and pray.
April 19, 2019
Short and simple: I read it in an hour. A couple beautiful, memorable lines, but the rest is very simple. I would recommend “He Leadeth Me” for a more thorough sharing of a priests experience in solitary confinement.
September 17, 2020
The book details reflections prepared for 1997 World Youth Day about the Cardinal Van Thuans's 13 years in a Vietnamese's prison, 9 of which were in solitary confinement. Five Loaves and Two Fishes is giving all to God and getting much in return just as John's Gospel tells of Jesus feeding a 5000 people with five loaves and two fishes.
Van Thuan five loaves and two fishes which helped him survive is ordeal are:
Loaf 1: Live in the present moment; you are exactly where God wants you to be.
Loaf 2: Choose God and He will show you what He wants you to do; it is not your will, but the God's
Loaf 3: Fixed point of reference; prayer: Jesus here I am, its Jim - simple and direct
Loaf 4: Eucharist - celebrated daily with 3 drops of wine
Loaf 5: Love and Unity - changed minds and hearts by showing the rich love of Jesus to his captors
Fish 1: Immaculate Mary - is your Mother always there to help
Fish 2: Choose Jesus - carry His message to everyone
Van Thuan five loaves and two fishes which helped him survive is ordeal are:
Loaf 1: Live in the present moment; you are exactly where God wants you to be.
Loaf 2: Choose God and He will show you what He wants you to do; it is not your will, but the God's
Loaf 3: Fixed point of reference; prayer: Jesus here I am, its Jim - simple and direct
Loaf 4: Eucharist - celebrated daily with 3 drops of wine
Loaf 5: Love and Unity - changed minds and hearts by showing the rich love of Jesus to his captors
Fish 1: Immaculate Mary - is your Mother always there to help
Fish 2: Choose Jesus - carry His message to everyone
September 2, 2020
The world is a scary place right now. We see vigilant bands looting and destroying cities in our country, the celebration of criminal activity, and hatred toward those who believe in American values of hard work and clean living. This book gave me hope. Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan lived through what these criminals want to turn my country into. He spent 17 years incarcerated for being a priest -- 17 years! And through it all, he simply carried his cross and prayed, never losing hope.
January 3, 2024
The book is a simple read, only 80 pages. It describes his imprisonment under the Communist regime in Vietnam, 13 years imprisonment and 9 of the 13 years in solitary confinement. It has 7 chapters , exactly to the Gospel story of feeding 5000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. This book describes the acts of the Lord through him.It is an exceptional read with a great instrument of teaching the Lord's work.
January 15, 2022
Há muito tempo queria ler esse livro. É bem curtinho. Dá para ler bem rápido.
Como a vida dele ensina que mesmo na dificuldade e sofrimento é preciso confiar em Deus.
Anotei muitas frases dele. Quando li esse livro, ele era Venerável. Espero que o processo de beatifii não demore!
"Quando há amor, sente-se alegria e a paz, porque Jesus está no meio de nós." Cardeal Van Thuan
14/01/2022
Como a vida dele ensina que mesmo na dificuldade e sofrimento é preciso confiar em Deus.
Anotei muitas frases dele. Quando li esse livro, ele era Venerável. Espero que o processo de beatifii não demore!
"Quando há amor, sente-se alegria e a paz, porque Jesus está no meio de nós." Cardeal Van Thuan
14/01/2022
November 4, 2023
Es un libro corto pero muy bueno sobre un cura que es privado de su libertad en Vietnam.
No es la historia completa pero son fracciones de experiencias y enseñanzas. Me encantó su manera de dividir el libro.
Ame el tercer pan.
“El más grande error es el no darse cuenta que los otros son Cristo.”
“En la palabra “hoy” sentimos todo el perdón, todo el amor de Jesús”
No es la historia completa pero son fracciones de experiencias y enseñanzas. Me encantó su manera de dividir el libro.
Ame el tercer pan.
“El más grande error es el no darse cuenta que los otros son Cristo.”
“En la palabra “hoy” sentimos todo el perdón, todo el amor de Jesús”
March 10, 2025
The thoughts and words of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan are presented in this gem of a book and offer a blueprint for how to live your life more in sync with Christ. What a wonderful man the Cardinal was. Truly he was a saint, which is why Pope Francis has named him “venerable”, an important step towards his becoming a saint.
March 6, 2020
Una buena autobiografía, con una historia de lo más interesante que daría para unos cuantos cientos de páginas! lástima que sea tan corto.. las reflexiones y los puntos de las 24horas del día son únicos y te llevan a dirigirte a Dios de una manera diferente.
June 3, 2020
Libro esemplare e grande testimonianza del vescovo: “vivo il testamento di Gesù” come dice nel libro "Cioè amare gli altri come Gesù mi ha amato, nel perdono, nella misericordia, fino all’unità come egli ha pregato".
July 6, 2020
La manera en la que puedes imaginarte facil y maravillosamente cada palabra es increible, te llega no al corazón sino al alma.
The way I can relate to this (las oraciones, sobre todo) it's mind blowing.
The way I can relate to this (las oraciones, sobre todo) it's mind blowing.
February 9, 2025
Even a solitary confinement of 13 years cannot contain the steward of the Lord from going out into the vineyard; the bitter cup must be filled with love at every moment, the love of the risen Jesus Christ.
December 1, 2025
El libro enseña que incluso en medio del sufrimiento y la adversidad, Dios puede multiplicar lo poco que tenemos (como los cinco panes y dos peces) si lo ofrecemos con confianza, amor y entrega. Es un llamado a la esperanza, la fe sencilla y la fuerza interior que nace del abandono en Dios.
December 27, 2020
Joya absoluta.
June 9, 2021
Buenisismo libro!! 100% recomendado
October 4, 2021
Libro muy breve. El autor cuenta algunos retazos de su vida con la finalidad de acercar a Dios. Es realmente impresionante ver como viven la fe en un país donde se persigue a los católicos.
October 4, 2021
Sabía que era pequeño pero no creí que tanto; este no es un libro para leerlo como lectura de entretenimiento, es para leerlo despacio; por puntos e ir meditando cada uno. Lectura de cabecera.
January 15, 2022
Muy bonito
August 9, 2022
La forma en la que habla del sufrimiento que pasó y el cual cambió por amor a Dios, al prójimo es para reflexionar, todas las oraciones y la plena confianza en la Virgen María es fascinante.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2022
شهادة أسقف معتقل في سجون الشيوعيين في فيتنام عن إزاي الواحد يختار يبقى إنسان بيحب الناس اللي حواليه وبيكتشف حياة حقيقية حتى في ظروف صعبة زي كدة.
January 2, 2023
imagine putting others before yourself no matter the circumstances for the greater glory of God
May 2, 2023
Me ha flipado!!! Muchas luces
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews