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Our thrilling story begins in Songkhon, a Catholic village on the
Thai side of the mighty Maekhong River as it flows along the North
Eastern border. The people of Songkhon were all Catholics and since
the beginning they have always been in the Archdiocese of Thare-Nongseng.
The year 1940 was a time of fear and uncertainty in many areas of
the world. Nazism was on the march in Europe and in Asia, imperialism
was spreading rapidly. In Thailand, people felt fearful and threatened
and a foreign faith was an obvious scapegoat, although Catholicism
had already been in Thailand over three hundred and fifty years. In
this tense atmosphere the usually tolerant Thais forsook their normal
friendliness and began a religious persecution.
So it happened that in the winter of 1940, the police moved into Songkhon.
Their first hostile act was to banish and then deport the parish priest.
With guns in their hands, they then went from door to door intimidating
the good simple people of the village and ordering them to abandon
their faith in Christ. Naturally the people were nervous and frightened
by they remained quiet and steadfast.
Living in Songkhon were two Sisters of the Congregation of the Lovers
of the Holy Cross: Sister Agnes and Sister Lucia. There was also an
excellent catechist, Mr. Philip Siphong. Since their pastor had been
deported, these three good people felt responsible for the Catholic
community and were in charge of the village school.
Mr. Siphong gave both moral and physical support to the worried people
by visiting each house, praying with each family and speaking words
of encouragement and strengthening their faith. The police were naturally
furious at this act of rebelliousness and decided to get rid of Mr.
Philip Siphong.
So in early December 1940 the police sent a letter to Philip supposedly
from the Sheriff of Mukdahan requesting him to go to Mukdahan to meet
the Sheriff. The people were suspicious and they warned Philip about
the false letter and not to trust the police. They also told Philip
that the police had every intention of killing him. However this good
man told the people that if that was the case, then he, Philip Siphong
was prepared to die for his Faith. Eventually he set out with the
police for Mukdahan. Actually when they got the poor man into the
forest the police shot him dead. So on December the 16th 1940 Mr.
Philip Siphong died for his Faith and became the first of the Seven
Holy martyrs of Thailand.
When the two Sisters Agnes and Lucia heard the news of the death of
their faithful catechist, they were both saddened and very frightened.
Nevertheless they continued their care of the school and their guidance
of the community. Each day the children of the village came to the
convent to be taught and catechised.
The police on their part kept up their pressure on the Sister and
the local community. They tried to frighten everyone by firing their
rifles in the air and by shouting at the people. They kept reminding
the villagers of the murder of Philip by warning the people. "We'll
get rid of all of you."
The children like everyone else were terrified of the police but the
Sisters encouraged the children and themselves by saying that if the
police killed them, they would be martyrs for Jesus.
On the Christmas Day. Mr. Lue, the police officer in charge of Songkhon,
came to the Sister' house. On arrival he discovered the Sisters were
instructing the children in their Catholic Faith. The officer was
furious and berated the Sisters: "I've told you many times not to
speak about Jesus. You must not mention god in Thailand, otherwise
I'll kill you all." Sister Agnes who was the elder Sister, conscious
of her role, in turn became indignant. She confronted the police officer
saying: "Mr. Policeman, do you mean to say that you will kill us all
because we are Catholics and loyal to our Catholic Faith. Do you really
mean that, Mr. Policeman?"
Mr. Lue replied: "Yes I do, I will kill all of you if you continue
to talk about God like this."
Sister Agnes with rising indignation and raised her voice saying to
the officer: "Be sure you have sufficient guns and bullets." "Oh yes,
we have enough guns and bullets to kill all of you." Mr. Lue retorted.
"Then be sure you polish the barrels of your guns lest the bullets
get stuck." Countered the brave Sister Agnes. "Yes, we will." concluded
the policeman.
On the evening of that same Christmas Day, the Sister prepared some
coconut oil and sent a small bottle of it to the police so that they
could clean and polish their gun barrels. Then the brave Sisters began
preparing themselves and their companions for their coming martyrdom,
by prayers and hymns' singing throughout the night.
Late that same night, our inspired Sister Agnes sat down and wrote
a letter to the police. It is a document of utter simplicity and of
a lively faith.
"To the Chief Police in Songkhon
Yesterday evening you received your order to wipe out, definitely,
the Name of God, the Only Lord of our lives and minds. We adore Him
only, Sir. A few days earlier, you had mentioned to us that you would
not wipe out the Name of God and we were rather pleased with that
in such a way that we put away our religious habits which showed that
we were His handmaids. But it not so today. We do profess that the
religion of Christ is the only true religion. Therefore, we would
like to give our answer to your question, asked yesterday evening
which we did not have a chance to respond because we were unprepared
for it. Now we would like to give you our answer. We are asking you
to carry out your order with us. Please do not delay any longer. Please
carry out your order. Please open the door of heaven to us so that
we can confirm that outside the Religion of Christ no none can go
to heaven. Please do it. We are well prepared. When we will be gone
we will remember you. Please take pity on our souls. We will be thankful
to you and will be grateful to you for it. And on the last day we
will see each other face to face.
Do wait and see, please. We keep your commands, oh God, we wish to
be witnesses to You, dear God. We are: Agnes, Lucia, Phuttha, Budsi,
Buakhai, Suwan. We would like to bring little Phuma along with us
because we love her so much. We have already made up our minds, dear
Sir."
This letter is such a simple yet moving and powerful Gospel of faith
that reminds us that the faith witnessed in the early church in roman
times is still alive and potent in Thailand in our own time. The diocesean
archives now have Sister Agnes's wonderful profession of faith statement.
The police reacted quickly. On the following afternoon of the 26th
of December 1940 on the feast of St. Stephen the first martyr, they
arrived at the convent and shouted: "Are you ready, Sisters? If you
are, go straight to the bank of the Maekhong." But Sister Agnes objected,
"No, that is not the place for us to die for Christ. We must go the
cemetery, the holy place."
In line they walked to the cemetery singing hymns and calling to the
people.
"Good-bye, we are going to Heaven, we are going to become martyrs
for Christ." How these brave and noble women remind us once again
of the martyrs of ancient Rome, joyfully entering the arena for the
love of Jesus Christ.
Seeing the police marching the children and Sisters to the cemetery,
the people of the village realized that the police were going to kill
them there. They too followed the Sisters and their companions wishing
to die with them. However the policed brushed the people aside with
their rifles saying angrily: "We only intend to kill those in the
line."
A young girl named Suwan was one of those in the line. She was willing
to become one of Christ's Martyrs but her father upon hearing what
was happening rushed to the scent to rescue his little daughter. Suwan
on her part clung to Sister Agnes begging him: "Mother Agnes, help
me please, I want to die with you and go to Heaven." "But you are
too young to die" said her father and he snatched her away and carried
her back home where he locked her in a room.
On arrival at the cemetery the brave women knelt down beside a fallen
tree trunk. They continued praying and hymn-singing fervently in that
crucial atmosphere.
Sister Agnes turned and addressed the police: "You may kill us but
you cannot kill the Church and you cannot kill God. One day the Church
will return to Thailand and will flourish more than ever. You will
see with your own eyes that what I am now saying, will come true.
So we thank you from our hearts for killing us and sending us to Heaven.
From there we will pray for you." Once again her words echoed those
of many great martyrs before her.
Then turning to her companions, Sister Agnes said, "My dear friends,
we will soon be in Heaven."
On the cross, Jesus said to the thief, "This day you will e with me
in Paradise," (Lk.23:43) When all were ready, Sister once more addressed
the police saying: "Mr. Policeman, we are ready, please do your duty."
Immediately the police opened fire and left the cemetery shouting
to the people, "Bury them like dogs, for they are bad people." The
poor villagers who were watching the scene from behind nearby bushes,
rushed forward and began to shake the bodies to see who was alive
or dead. They found that both Sister Agnes and Phorn were still alive
but badly wounded.
Looking around, Phorn asked: "Where is heaven?" She understood from
the Sisters' teaching that if one died a martyr one went straight
to Heaven, but looking around Phorn saw not Heaven but a crowd of
villagers. Sister Agnes on her part enquired: "where are the police?"
They've left already." someone spoke out. "Then you better call them
back I'm not dead yet:' said the brave sister Agnes. So one of the
villagers returned to the village to inform the police that Sister
Agnes and Phorn although badly wounded were still alive.
In the meantime another girl called Sorn who hand knelt at the end
of the line stood up and looking around exclaimed: "Where is heaven?"
Seeing that her clothes were spattered with blood the people enquired
if she was hurt. "I'm afraid not, I don't feel any pain," Sorn replied.
She then examined herself more closely but found no bullet wounds.
"You'd better run home," she was advised: "as the police will soon
be back here." So the little girl ran home. (She is still alive, healthy
and living in Songkhon. She is also an excellent catechist.) In a
short time the police returned to the cemetery and killed the wounded
Sister Agnes and Phorn.
In all, six good and holy women were dead and the villagers buried
them hurriedly, placing two bodies in each grave for they had not
the time to make coffins. Thus were these brave and noble women of
Songkhon laid to rest.
Many eye witnesses including those who took part in the burial of
our brave martyrs are still alive. They are proud and grateful to
recall, the bravery, the loyalty to Christ and the wonderful faith
displayed on that momentous day, the 26th December 1940 by the Holy
martyrs of Songkhon.
The persecution of the Christians went on for another four years and
then religious freedom returned to Thailand.
As soon as the church was granted freedom, the local Ordinary began
setting up the canonical investigations on the case of these Seven
Brave Servants of God. The reports were presented to the Sacred Congregation
of the Saints in Rome for consideration of their beatification and
canonization as the Martyrs of the Church.
Many local church personnel have been working very hard, with great
devotion to collect facts and witnesses and most valuable testimonies
have been put together and sent to Rome. Among the prominent church
personnel we are proud and grateful to mention these names here.
The Most Rev. Claudio Bayet, MEP., the former Bishop of Thare-Nongseng.
The Rev. Carlo Casetta, OSB., the most zealous Salesian priest who
gave a great help to start the procedure in Rome.
The Rev. Paul Sinuen Srivorakul, the Vicar General of the mission
at that time.
The Most Rev. Michael Mongkhol Prakhongchit, who had been five year
bishop of Thare-Nongseng and had helped a great deal in the procedure
of the case of our Martyrs.
The Rev. John Baptist Theng, The Vicar General of Bishop Michael Mongkhol
Prakhongchit.
All the Pastors of Songkhon since the year 1944 to the year 1989.
They were so cooperative and eager to help investigations and made
the reports to Rome available.
The Rev. Joseph Inthi, one of the efficient notaries of the cases
of our Martyrs.
The Most Rev. Archbishop Michael Kien, the very zealous Archbishop
of Thare-Nongseng who had been working very hard to promote the case
of our beloved Martyrs through many, many years of his episcopate
of the Archdiocese.
The Very Rev. Msgr. Antoine Anoge, MEP., the first postulator of the
Martyrs until his retirement.
Advocate Julio Dante, our most efficient lawyer who had been our very
good prayerful advocate from the beginning of the procedure until
the Beatification of the Seven Blessed Martyrs of Thailand.
The Rev. John Baptist Itcaina, MEP., who succeeded Msgr. Antoine Anoge
to perform the duty of Postulator with great enthusiasm until the
Beatification of the Seven Blessed Martyrs.
Our heartfelt thanks to all these above mentioned and every one who
has helped especially with their fervent prayers to make the procedures
toward the Beatification of our Seven Blessed Martyrs of Thailand
so successful. Their untiring working and co-operation are highly
appreciated.
The Most Rev. Archbishop Lawrence Khai, the archbishop of Thare-Nongseng,
succeeded Archbishop Michael Kien who retired at an early age because
of his health.
After his episcopal consecration, Archbishop Lawrence Khai rushed
to Rome to renew the procedures of the case of the Seven Servants
of God. His Eminence Cardinal Palazzini was then the Prefect of the
Sacred Congregation of the Saints. The case of our Martyrs was reviewed
again. Some more reports and details were exacted from the Sacred
Congregation.
Msgr. Antoine Anoge retired from the office of Postulator. Very Rev.
J.B. Itcaina was appointed to replace Msgr. Antoine Anoge. Ver Rev.
J.B. Itcaina has been in Rome for many years acting as the Procurator
General of the Paris Foreign Mission Society in the City of Rome.
Many times Archbishop Lawrence Khai and Very Rev. J.B. Itcaina went
together to see His Eminence Cardinal Palazzini. Sometimes Archbishop
Lawrence Khai went to the Sacred Congregation with the Most Rev. Bishop
peter Carretto of Ratchaburi diocese. Bishop Peter Carretto was a
very close friend to His Eminence Cardinal Palazzini. Thanks a million
time to Bishop Peter Carretto for such a wonderful help and enthusiasm
to promote the case of the Seven Servants of god, who would be soon
proclaimed the Seven Blessed Martyrs of Thailand.
The year 1988 the decree on Martyrdom of the Seven Servants was presented
to the Most Holy Father, Pope John Paul II to pronounce the final
judgment.
The Most Holy Father gave the final approval!
It was indeed a significant event in the history of the church of
Thailand to have the first Martyrs, seven in numbers.
Archbishop Lawrence Khai was called to Rome to have a special meeting
with His Eminence Cardinal Casaroli, the Secretary of State of the
Holy See and the Thai Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Praphat
Limpraphan. It was a very exciting meeting. Archbishop Lawrence Khai
was told to go back to Thailand to see the Director of the Europe
Department which is one of the various department of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The Director of European Affairs in
the name of the Thai Government had no objection to the Proclamation
of the Beatification of the Seven Blessed Martyrs.
The Episcopal Conference of Thailand was informed about this good
news. The Apostolic Pronuncio, The Most Rev. Archbishop Renato Martino
was so happy to send the fax of this good news to Rome stating that
the Government of Thailand has no objection concerning the Proclamation
of the Beatification to be made in Rome by the Most Holy Father.
Sunday October 22nd, 1989 the Feast of the Propagation of the Faith,
was fixed by the Most Holy Father for the Solemn and Official Proclamation
of the Beatification to be organized inside the Saint Peter's Basilica.
This good news spread very quickly far and wide. The national committee
was set up to arrange the tours to Rome for this special occasion.
Almost all the Bishops from Thailand and many Thai people and the
Laotian immigrants to Europe were present at the Solemn ceremonies
inside the Basilica. Many thousands of pilgrims participated in the
ceremonies.
The most exciting moment came when the Most Holy Father during the
Solemn High Mass proclaimed the Servants of God of Songkhon, "THE
SEVEN BLESSED MARTYRS OF THAILAND:
The names of the Seven Blessed are:
(1) Blessed Philip Siphong, Catechist, 33 years old.
(2) Blessed Sister Agnes Phila, 31 years old.
(3) Blessed Sister Lucia Khambang, 23 years old
(4) Blessed Agatha Phutta, 59 years old.
(5) Blessed Cecilia Butsi, 16 years old.
(6) Blessed Bibiana Khamphai, 15 years old.
(7) Blessed Maria Phorn, 14 years old.
Prayer for obtaining graces.
Hear, O Merciful Lord, the prayers which we humbly offer to You, made
worthy by the intercession of Your faithful Seven Martyrs of Thailand.,
whose witness in sacrificing their lives to profess their faith was
as pleasing to You as is their prayer now in heaven. We most sincerely
recognize our weaknesses and sins, but we trust in the loving aid
of our Beloved Seven Martyrs whom You, Our Good Lord, wished to raise
up in our midst as a most outstanding sign of Your Almighty power
to make the weak and humble strong. Sustain us with your prayer, Beloved
and Blessed Martyrs of Thailand. Do not abandon us, as we who call
on you as our intercessors believe that in you we have a valid model
for living our Faith in our daily lives and a most powerful incentive
for advancing in Christian virtue.
We earnestly desire to possess, O Beloved Martyrs, your strong faith,
your great love for your Church and your firm resolution to live or
die for the greater glory of God. With these we can be more grateful
to God and more worthy to be heard. However we find ourselves both
poor and weak but we fully trust in the mercy of God through your
powerful intercession. Amen.
Our Father......Hail Mary.....Glory be......
OUR LADY OF THE MARTYRS OF THAILAND SONGKHON, WANYAI, MUKDAHAN THAILAND
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