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The Miracle of Hope: Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận; Political Prisoner, Prophet Of Peace
Written by a personal friend of Cardinal Văn Thuan, this moving biography chronicles the life of the man Pope John Paul II says was ..."marked by a heroic configuration with Christ on the cross." From a communist jail cell, to Rome as the leader of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận remained a man of unshakable faith and undying hope.
244 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 27, 2017
By anyone’s standards, Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận was an extraordinary human being, a man of heroic virtue, who will be honored by all ages. Other lesser men will be forgotten but he will not. His life story parallels that of modern Vietnam from 1928-2002 and he comes from one of her most prominent families, the Nguyễn dynasty*.
The author, André Nguyễn Văn Chau, was a lifetime friend of Thuận and thus knew him and his family well. Thuận came from a very large extended family and due to this as well as the similarity of many of the names, initially I had to reread the personal sections to get all the players straight. However very soon all becomes clear and is completely worth it. Also there is a helpful index of names in the back of the book.
The Miracle of Hope tells the story of Thuận’s life, first giving a very brief contextual history of Vietnam, moving quickly to his grandparents and then into his own childhood. It is spiritual biography as well a historical one, so we come to understand the depth of holiness in this quiet man who not only adopted one of the Second Vatican Council’s most important documents, “GAUDIUM ET SPES”, “Joy and Hope”, for his episcopal motto, he truly lived a life of Joy and Hope. And this despite the many crosses subsequently piled on him, including: 13 years imprisonment under the Communists, later banishment from his beloved Vietnam, poor health as a result of solitary confinement and eventually cancer. Thuận also used the word ‘Hope’ in almost every one of the numerous books he wrote thereafter, several during his confinement. Thanks to those won over by his gentleness—despite the harsh treatment he received —he was able to smuggle out his writings and get them published while still imprisoned, to the great ire of his Communist captors.
After his physical release from prison, Thuận was still under constant Communist control/watch. Although ‘allowed’ to visit his parents in Australia, he had to ask permission for everywhere he went and everything he did in order to be allowed to resume his work as archbishop. Eventually it became clear, he was ‘free’ in name only. The Vatican, i.e., Pope John Paul II, a longtime friend, who had followed Thuận’s imprisonment closely invited him to Rome, where his gentle spirit and loving ways opened many doors. Before his death in 2002, he traveled all over the world telling his story, was appointed president of the Council for Justice and Peace, received his Cardinal’s hat and preached the yearly Lenten Spiritual Exercises during the Jubilee Year 2000 for Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia, the first Asian bishop to ever have been offered the honor. Of course he spoke about hope and Testimony of Hope: Spiritual Exercises of John Paul II is the collection of those talks.
A monumental tribute to a saint. You owe it to yourself to at least read something by or about this incredible man, whatever your faith tradition.
*His uncle, Ngô Đình Diệm, a very controversial figure and former mandarin established the first Republic of Vietnam with himself as president. In November 1963, he was assassinated during a coup d’état, along with his brother, Ngô Đình Nhu. According to this bio, his uncle was most likely a victim of American-incited aggression, although exactly why this might be was not made clear here. The Lost Mandate of Heaven: The American Betrayal of Ngo Dinh Diem, President of Vietnam tells that story.
July 21, 2017: When I first listed this book, I didn't check to see if there were multiple listings. There are. I tried to combine my initial choice with this listing but as there actually two separate authors listed (same person), this is beyond my librarian skills. If another GR librarian can help, I would appreciate it. This book listing is the more complete/accurate.
Read almost three quarters of it yesterday. An amazing man whose life's history coincides with and tells the modern history of Vietnam.
July 7, 2017: I bought a copy of this for my husband and father for Father's day. Both have already finished it. My turn!
The author, André Nguyễn Văn Chau, was a lifetime friend of Thuận and thus knew him and his family well. Thuận came from a very large extended family and due to this as well as the similarity of many of the names, initially I had to reread the personal sections to get all the players straight. However very soon all becomes clear and is completely worth it. Also there is a helpful index of names in the back of the book.
The Miracle of Hope tells the story of Thuận’s life, first giving a very brief contextual history of Vietnam, moving quickly to his grandparents and then into his own childhood. It is spiritual biography as well a historical one, so we come to understand the depth of holiness in this quiet man who not only adopted one of the Second Vatican Council’s most important documents, “GAUDIUM ET SPES”, “Joy and Hope”, for his episcopal motto, he truly lived a life of Joy and Hope. And this despite the many crosses subsequently piled on him, including: 13 years imprisonment under the Communists, later banishment from his beloved Vietnam, poor health as a result of solitary confinement and eventually cancer. Thuận also used the word ‘Hope’ in almost every one of the numerous books he wrote thereafter, several during his confinement. Thanks to those won over by his gentleness—despite the harsh treatment he received —he was able to smuggle out his writings and get them published while still imprisoned, to the great ire of his Communist captors.
After his physical release from prison, Thuận was still under constant Communist control/watch. Although ‘allowed’ to visit his parents in Australia, he had to ask permission for everywhere he went and everything he did in order to be allowed to resume his work as archbishop. Eventually it became clear, he was ‘free’ in name only. The Vatican, i.e., Pope John Paul II, a longtime friend, who had followed Thuận’s imprisonment closely invited him to Rome, where his gentle spirit and loving ways opened many doors. Before his death in 2002, he traveled all over the world telling his story, was appointed president of the Council for Justice and Peace, received his Cardinal’s hat and preached the yearly Lenten Spiritual Exercises during the Jubilee Year 2000 for Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia, the first Asian bishop to ever have been offered the honor. Of course he spoke about hope and Testimony of Hope: Spiritual Exercises of John Paul II is the collection of those talks.
A monumental tribute to a saint. You owe it to yourself to at least read something by or about this incredible man, whatever your faith tradition.
*His uncle, Ngô Đình Diệm, a very controversial figure and former mandarin established the first Republic of Vietnam with himself as president. In November 1963, he was assassinated during a coup d’état, along with his brother, Ngô Đình Nhu. According to this bio, his uncle was most likely a victim of American-incited aggression, although exactly why this might be was not made clear here. The Lost Mandate of Heaven: The American Betrayal of Ngo Dinh Diem, President of Vietnam tells that story.
July 21, 2017: When I first listed this book, I didn't check to see if there were multiple listings. There are. I tried to combine my initial choice with this listing but as there actually two separate authors listed (same person), this is beyond my librarian skills. If another GR librarian can help, I would appreciate it. This book listing is the more complete/accurate.
Read almost three quarters of it yesterday. An amazing man whose life's history coincides with and tells the modern history of Vietnam.
July 7, 2017: I bought a copy of this for my husband and father for Father's day. Both have already finished it. My turn!
August 4, 2024
Beautiful testimony of hope. The gentle smile and eyes of this saintly Vietnamese cardinal on the cover witness to his peace and joy. Like his shield of gaudiem et spes his life was a continual surrender in peace and joy. For activistic Americans his message of being for God superseding doing for God is striking to the core. The beginning of the book is a bit slow but push through to the end as his time in captivity is a game changer if not a life changer. Also recommend watching the dvd of his life as all the family members including the author of the ppl come to life.
May 29, 2010
This man is truly a Saint!! He spent 13 years in solitary confinement, yet harbored no resentment against his captors. He had memorized vast amounts of the Bible, which helped him pray in prison. He had only forgiveness and love for his enemies.
December 29, 2025
Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was a fascinating and saintly man. He spent his life for the betterment of humanity and the Catholic Church. He forgave his torturers and those who murdered his family members and friends. He walked in the footsteps of his Lord Jesus Christ and carried his cross. He is an inspiration to all people. Hopefully one day he will be declared a saint of the Catholic Church.
November 30, 2022
Amazing from start to finish, Thuan's life spans a deeply troubled time in the 20th century and especially in Vietnam. Quiet heroism and perseverance, understanding and charity pervade the entire work.
November 24, 2022
Amazing story too often forgotten. Cardinal Van Thuan's life is fraught with contradictions and strife, but his faith and love come out clearly in this account of his heroic life.
November 10, 2024
Cardinal Thuan remains a revered spiritual leader for Vietnamese Catholics and is someone that my family and community greatly respects, so to learn about his story puts into perspective the intense level of persecution Vietnamese Catholics faced after the communists took control of Vietnam. I felt like I was reading my great grand father's diary, which speaks to the sincerity of Cardinal Thuan's story and his shared struggle with his fellow Vietnamese people.
September 18, 2011
I really like this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews