This definitive biography of the heroic life of Servant of God Cardinal Thuan is told by his sister Élisabeth, with Father Stefaan Lecleir, in the context of his family life, priesthood, and prison life, and the very challenging times in which he lived. It focuses especially on his profound spiritual life, his great suffering during a thirteen-year imprisonment by the Communists, his strong capacity for friendship with his enemies, and his deep veneration for Christ in the Eucharist. Élisabeth also reveals moving miraculous events that she witnessed in his life.

This inspirational account tells about the cardinal’s family and how it played a central role in Vietnam’s history, including his grandfather, who was minister to the emperor, and his mother, who was a special assistant to his uncle Ngo Dinh Diem, president of Vietnam. The assassinated Diem is much better understood as the book discusses his deep Catholic faith and strong devotion to his country in extremely difficult circumstances. The rich family history shows how Cardinal Thuan came from a lineage of courageous Vietnamese Christians, martyrs of the past and present.

This is a thorough, well-documented biography of a towering modern spiritual figure. It includes numerous testimonies of those who knew him personally and provides unprecedented material on the life of Cardinal Thuan.

“Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, whom I was honored to know, was a priest and bishop deeply in love with Jesus and His Church. He suffered greatly for his faith during years of imprisonment and mistreatment by his Communist captors. This inspiring biography captures Thuan’s willingness to forgive those who hurt him as he recognized them as children of God, made in His image. His story deserves to be more widely known, and the coauthors do an admirable job in helping to accomplish that goal.”

— Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

“A man of faith, serenity, suffering, joy, and hope, Cardinal Thuan is one of the most inspiring Catholic figures in recent centuries, which is why three popes have urged the faithful to learn from his heroic example and profound wisdom. Having had the privilege to know him, I am deeply moved by this book, which will give everyone a chance to know him, to be strengthened by his virtues, and, hopefully, to be encouraged to seek his powerful intercession.”

— Msgr. Roger J. Landry, National director, The Pontifical Mission Societies

“Etched deeply in my memory is the visit of Cardinal Thuan’s sister Élisabeth to New Orleans to present an inspiring account of his life. In this book, she expands on her account, providing historical and cultural backgrounds. This man of God recovered his own dignity by treating his jailors with dignity. His attentiveness to the Word of God, his clandestine celebration of the Eucharist with crumbs of bread and drops of wine in the palm of his hand, and his deep devotion to Mary inspired many people. Read and let him inspire you too!”

— Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, Emeritus of New Orleans

“To be a martyr is to witness to the faith, usually to the point of death. There are others, known as ‘white martyrs’, who, while not being killed, witness in an extraordinary way to the truth of the gospel, either by unjust imprisonment or other indignities. The saintly Cardinal Thuan was such a man. In this remarkable book, the qualities of a man who will one day be acclaimed as a great white martyr of the Church emerge. Inspirational and moving, this is a book that is needed today.”

— Fr. Benedict Kiely, Founder, Nasarean.org