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The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison
In 1975, Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was traveling to Saigon, Vietnam, to become its new Coadjutor Bishop. On the way, he was arrested and imprisoned-an incarceration that lasted thirteen years. Despite tremendous risk, Van Thuan refused to remain passive. During his nights in prison, lie wrote encouraging messages to the Vietnamese people. These brief reflections, scribbled on scraps of paper, were smuggled out of prison, copied by hand and circulated within the community. Bishop Van Thuan was thus able to remain connected to his people in a hidden yet powerful way. The Road of Hope is the collection of these 1,001 messages, a true "gospel from prison," written to console and strengthen a weary people in a war-torn land. They remain the heartfelt, personal words of a father who sustained and nourished his children's desire for freedom. Today, they speak to us-an invitation to begin our own journey on the Road of Hope, leading us into our future. ""An Imitation of Christ for the 21st Century." - Francis B. Schulte, Archbishop of New Orleans
231 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
112 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 16, 2016
The Road of Hope by Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan is a wonderful book I recommend to all people interested in diving into their faith. The book is a collection of writings of Bishop Van Thuan that were smuggled out of the prison of which he was in solitary confinement. The writings form a series of essays that speak of different aspects of the faith. Each essay hit hard and I needed to take breaks between chapters to absorb what I had just read. Mediocrity is not what one should possess to read this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in their faith. I have learned so much from this book. There is wisdom on every page. This book is step-by-step instructions on how to live a devout, Christian life. You will abandon your quiescent life and leap into the breach feeling prepared for the troubles to come after reading this book. One of the things he focuses on is that the Road of Hope includes three parts: Departure, Duty, and Perseverance. That is, Denying yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him. That is what is asked of the reader in the experience of the book. So pick it up and read, for you will not be left unsatisfied.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in their faith. I have learned so much from this book. There is wisdom on every page. This book is step-by-step instructions on how to live a devout, Christian life. You will abandon your quiescent life and leap into the breach feeling prepared for the troubles to come after reading this book. One of the things he focuses on is that the Road of Hope includes three parts: Departure, Duty, and Perseverance. That is, Denying yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him. That is what is asked of the reader in the experience of the book. So pick it up and read, for you will not be left unsatisfied.
April 12, 2021
Good reading for Lenten meditation. Very easy with the short passages to pick up whenever I had the time.
May 4, 2025
Not a work of theology but a simple and remarkable bit of inspirational writing. It reminds any reader about what can be good about Christianity, and serves as a useful admonition to the Christian as to what to be focusing on in this life. What makes its simple, gentle, pastoral guidance all the more noteworthy are the conditions under which Nguyen Van Thuan wrote it, that is, in the horrors of the Vietnamese Communist prison system. That the (then) Bishop could retain such a sunny and caring outlook is itself an inspiration and testament to the power of his faith.
A Christian looking for a boost to his or her faith will find this uncomplicated work a treat; a curious non-Christian wishing to find out more about what attracts people to the religion may find some of the higher points available. A very good read.
A Christian looking for a boost to his or her faith will find this uncomplicated work a treat; a curious non-Christian wishing to find out more about what attracts people to the religion may find some of the higher points available. A very good read.
August 11, 2024
Would someone please bring me all the books and writings from cardinal fx van thuan stat?! Imagine the type of writings you could get and the depth from someone who’s spent years of solitary confinement united to God in contemplation and Sacraments? Yep that’s what makes this book singularly beautiful and deep. You can read the whole book lightning fast but don’t do it. Savor each number like French chocolate and let it take over your being. This is another top book to come to over and over again.
My favorite quote is about Mary. You can tell that his words reflect his life choices that have buoyed his holiness and simplicity. Love that it ends with a chapter on hope and then a chapter on road to hope. The entire Gospel is a Gospel from prison. It’s nothing new but just fresh depth of the truth of the Gospel.
My favorite quote is about Mary. You can tell that his words reflect his life choices that have buoyed his holiness and simplicity. Love that it ends with a chapter on hope and then a chapter on road to hope. The entire Gospel is a Gospel from prison. It’s nothing new but just fresh depth of the truth of the Gospel.
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March 29, 2025Every year for Lent, I try to set aside my indulgent fiction and read a Catholic book-- usually a bio of a saint or papal encyclical. While working with my father-in-law on his memoir describing his escape from Vietnam in 1975, he shared that he was a former seminarian studying under Bishop Van Thuan, and that he often referred to Van Thuan's book on hope. I was glad to borrow his copy and learn more about the (venerable!) bishop and his insights into our faith. There were some true gems within the pages.
October 11, 2024
It took me many months to get through this book. I actually think it's best consumed in small portions over a period of time since its groupings of points are suited for a more contemplative reading. However, even though I didn't enjoy or agree with all of his ways of talking about things, some bits were so inspired that you realize this comes from a man with a lot of wisdom.
July 9, 2024
Quando pensi di aver letto tutto l'importante e aver compreso qualche saggezza, leggi questo libro: ti fulminerà la sapienza delle sue poche frasi. Anima penetrante che ha fatto tesoro, oro, della sua prigionia di anni.
April 12, 2023
A very inspirational book with quotes from the gospels to back the authors writings. A guide to life everyday with its words.Amen.
May 16, 2022
If you were an innocent bishop, locked up in prison for thirteen-years, nine of them in solitary confinement, what would you do? How would you lead your flock? How would you deal with a broken heart upon hearing the bells of your Cathedral? These are questions that one would pose to the Venerable Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận. He was imprisoned for 13 years by the Communists due to a variety of factors. Not only was he a Catholic Bishop, but he was also the nephew of the president of democratic Vietnam, president Ngô Đình Diệm.
The reality of COVID-19 has continued to hit hard in many countries around the world. Particularly in Vietnam, the country of nationality of the late-Cardinal have faced harsh effects of the fourth delta-driven wave. Many, particularly those in Sài-gòn and Đồng Nai have been under strict lockdown measures for four months. While Toronto had the longest lockdown in the world, the standards of “lockdown” were nothing compared to what has been implemented in Vietnamese in recent months. Vaccine supply was not the only issue, but even the basic needs like food supply were at one point scarce, particularly in Sài-gòn. It is in these moments of the lives of the Vietnamese people that Cardinal Văn Thuận serves as an inspiration.
The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison, is a beautiful compilation of 1001 quotes of the Cardinal during his imprisonment. In the darkness of his confinement, wanting to communicate to his flock, he asked a little boy named Quang, who was an altar server at the church near Thuận’s prison cell, to ask his parents for old calendar leaves (of the daily tear-off calendar blocks). It was with paper and pen that he wrote this quotes about various themes of the Christian life, or rather, quotes that would serve as inspiration for one’s life. Quang would secretly pass by Thuận’s cell to take home these messages. His siblings would copy them out and share them among the community. Taking inspiration from St. Paul the Apostle, this became the form of communication between the bishop and his flock, even in his confinement.
The book The Road of Hope is not merely a compilation of quotes of a bishop. I see it in several perspectives. First, it is a pastoral letter of the bishop in prison to his people. In the early days of communist Vietnam, these letters would give people a sense of hope and spiritual assurance. Second, this book could be seen as a window of hope for an innocent prisoner. These thoughts and reflections compiled here speak to the inner core of what it means to be a Christian, a Catholic in any circumstance of life, particularly in the midst of oppression, of persecution, of injustice. Third, this book is a call for deeper prayer and meditation. In the midst of a secularized society, what really matters in life? I think Cardinal Văn Thuận addresses this very well in this book. No, it is not a self-help book, nor is it a theological textbook. It is a very approachable text that is only truly understandable if one gets the opportunity to know who Cardinal Văn Thuận was. Without the historical and biographical background of the author, then this book specifically, will be taken by the reader for face value, see it as a compilation of quotes rather than a book that should lead one into a deeper relationship with Jesus, even the most darkest moments of life.
On that note though, a companion that I would highly recommend is The Miracle of Hope: Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận; Political Prisoner, Prophet Of Peace written by Văn Thuận’s biographer, Andre Châu Nguyễn. It is a very detailed biography of the late-Cardinal which outlines very well his ministry and the political and historical background of the times in which he lived in. Another resource I would recommend to one before picking up The Road of Hope, is a visit to the newly designed website set up by the Cardinal’s Cause for Beatification and Canonization, cardinalvanthuan.org. The Cause is currently backed by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, (formerly the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace of which he was president from 1994 to his death in 2002). These materials I believe will give one an informed outlook of The Road of Hope and get a sense of where Thuận is getting with the quotes.
The Road of Hope is a book to keep near your breviary, prayer corner or bedside. I do not recommend reading the quotes like a chapter book, reading it in one sitting. Each quote deserves time for meditation and prayer, and a sincere look into one’s Christian life. It is best to read this quote in a spirit of prayer, and maybe, even with a pencil and journal in hand to jot down one’s reflections. Use The Road of Hope as a tool to support one’s spiritual and prayerful meditation.
There have been a couple editions of The Road of Hope that have been published throughout the years. The edition presented and reviewed here is a beautiful, hardcover version published by WellSpring books.
The reality of COVID-19 has continued to hit hard in many countries around the world. Particularly in Vietnam, the country of nationality of the late-Cardinal have faced harsh effects of the fourth delta-driven wave. Many, particularly those in Sài-gòn and Đồng Nai have been under strict lockdown measures for four months. While Toronto had the longest lockdown in the world, the standards of “lockdown” were nothing compared to what has been implemented in Vietnamese in recent months. Vaccine supply was not the only issue, but even the basic needs like food supply were at one point scarce, particularly in Sài-gòn. It is in these moments of the lives of the Vietnamese people that Cardinal Văn Thuận serves as an inspiration.
The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison, is a beautiful compilation of 1001 quotes of the Cardinal during his imprisonment. In the darkness of his confinement, wanting to communicate to his flock, he asked a little boy named Quang, who was an altar server at the church near Thuận’s prison cell, to ask his parents for old calendar leaves (of the daily tear-off calendar blocks). It was with paper and pen that he wrote this quotes about various themes of the Christian life, or rather, quotes that would serve as inspiration for one’s life. Quang would secretly pass by Thuận’s cell to take home these messages. His siblings would copy them out and share them among the community. Taking inspiration from St. Paul the Apostle, this became the form of communication between the bishop and his flock, even in his confinement.
The book The Road of Hope is not merely a compilation of quotes of a bishop. I see it in several perspectives. First, it is a pastoral letter of the bishop in prison to his people. In the early days of communist Vietnam, these letters would give people a sense of hope and spiritual assurance. Second, this book could be seen as a window of hope for an innocent prisoner. These thoughts and reflections compiled here speak to the inner core of what it means to be a Christian, a Catholic in any circumstance of life, particularly in the midst of oppression, of persecution, of injustice. Third, this book is a call for deeper prayer and meditation. In the midst of a secularized society, what really matters in life? I think Cardinal Văn Thuận addresses this very well in this book. No, it is not a self-help book, nor is it a theological textbook. It is a very approachable text that is only truly understandable if one gets the opportunity to know who Cardinal Văn Thuận was. Without the historical and biographical background of the author, then this book specifically, will be taken by the reader for face value, see it as a compilation of quotes rather than a book that should lead one into a deeper relationship with Jesus, even the most darkest moments of life.
On that note though, a companion that I would highly recommend is The Miracle of Hope: Francis Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận; Political Prisoner, Prophet Of Peace written by Văn Thuận’s biographer, Andre Châu Nguyễn. It is a very detailed biography of the late-Cardinal which outlines very well his ministry and the political and historical background of the times in which he lived in. Another resource I would recommend to one before picking up The Road of Hope, is a visit to the newly designed website set up by the Cardinal’s Cause for Beatification and Canonization, cardinalvanthuan.org. The Cause is currently backed by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, (formerly the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace of which he was president from 1994 to his death in 2002). These materials I believe will give one an informed outlook of The Road of Hope and get a sense of where Thuận is getting with the quotes.
The Road of Hope is a book to keep near your breviary, prayer corner or bedside. I do not recommend reading the quotes like a chapter book, reading it in one sitting. Each quote deserves time for meditation and prayer, and a sincere look into one’s Christian life. It is best to read this quote in a spirit of prayer, and maybe, even with a pencil and journal in hand to jot down one’s reflections. Use The Road of Hope as a tool to support one’s spiritual and prayerful meditation.
There have been a couple editions of The Road of Hope that have been published throughout the years. The edition presented and reviewed here is a beautiful, hardcover version published by WellSpring books.
September 10, 2016
Wow. What a truly incredible man! I watched the Salt + Light short documentary on Cardinal Van Thuan before reading this book and it really made the book all the more impactful. His faith and utter hope despite all he experienced and suffered is beyond belief. I absolutely will read his other works as well as his biography Miracle of Hope. The documentary as well as lines from this book keep going through my mind. Much to learn from this man's profound life.
December 5, 2012
Read this as a daily devotional. It's hard for me to read anything in the morning much less contemplate it all day but these short bite-sized thoughts are perfect. The author is clearly inspirational and genuine, having suffered much in his personal experiences and yet to move beyond those hurts and shares the gospels in a way only a disciple can.
July 31, 2016
This was just an incredible book and how amazing the spirit and body can remain strong under such cruel circumstances and how strong and brave certain members were in the surrounding area - who provided support
May 10, 2020
A simples inspiration
These are the thoughts of a person who knew prison and suffering like few have for so little. Yet, Van Thuan speaks about a Road of Hope. His words and simples, practical and inspiring.
These are the thoughts of a person who knew prison and suffering like few have for so little. Yet, Van Thuan speaks about a Road of Hope. His words and simples, practical and inspiring.
May 13, 2021
Astonishing but simple words of wisdom
Every chapter is full of inspiring words of advice. It is even more amazing when you realize that Bishop Nguyen was unjustly imprisoned while writing these words.
Every chapter is full of inspiring words of advice. It is even more amazing when you realize that Bishop Nguyen was unjustly imprisoned while writing these words.
February 13, 2017
I can now read this book that I only first watched on the TV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
My 3 star rating has more to do with readability than content. I love what he says, but it will take 2 to 3 readings to take it all in. Amazing man though.
April 27, 2021
Wonderful wisdom for living a Christian life in the world today. This book I will keep and share.
March 17, 2022
Excellent read.
Each chapter is a new central topic but the numbering of each nugget of wisdom continues onward throughout the book. Full of wisdom to apply in life.
Each chapter is a new central topic but the numbering of each nugget of wisdom continues onward throughout the book. Full of wisdom to apply in life.
April 7, 2022
This book is a compilation of snippets of writing by a Catholic priest smuggled out of a Viet Nam prison camp. Amazing and wonderful. I'd recommend it to everyone.
February 3, 2014
excellent spiritual insights...wirth reading
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews