Miracle of Hope

by André Nguyen Van Chau

Book Overview

Written by a personal friend of Cardinal Van 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."... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819848220
• ISBN13: 9780819848222
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Pauline Books & Media
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Vietnamese Christian's view of Vietnam's agony in the Twentieth Century

"The Miracle of hope: Political prisoner, prophet of peace: Life of Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan" by . Andre Nguyen Van Chau. Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was a brilliantly devoted man who was born into the talented Ngo Dinh Diem's family in central Vietnam. The book, which provides an excellent contrast to much of Dennis Warner's book "The Last Confucian," is a story about Vietnam in the Twentieth Century. "The Miracle of Hope" is in two inter-connected parts and includes Vietnamese view of the geo-political influences that affected Vietnam until the end of the last Millennium. It was interesting to read that Diem was extremely reluctant to accept American suzerainty. This resistance and Madame Nhu's insensitivity towards the Buddhists, led to the assassination of Diem and Nhu by the American influenced Vietnamese Army. Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan chose the vocation of the priesthood at an early age and he witnessed the Japanese occupation during his early years. After many years of training he was sent to Rome to further his studies. On his return to Vietnam his career was mapped out and he became a bishop just as South Vietnam collapsed in 1975. Thuan had planned for this eventuality and had trained many priests to ensure that congregations would be served by priests in the difficult times ahead. As with many supporters of the failed South Vietnamese regime Thuan was gaoled, interrogated and subjected to severe psychological strategies designed to break him. Thuan's deeply religious beliefs, and an understanding that God had a plan for him, enabled him to beat the enormous pressure placed on his mental and physical health. This is a truly uplifting story and readers will salute a brave and pious man who always thought of others even when his own situation was darkly grim.

Remarkable Story of Faith & Humility in This Century

This is one of those biographies that is difficult to put down-even if history has made you aware of the ending. The sory is told in a very descriptive manner and gently informs the reader of the amazing place this family had on Vietnam and her history. The parts are divided into major events of Cardinal Thuan's life and was written while he was still among us. Do not anticipate a super description of his POW days- it is obvious Cardinal Thuan conjoled the author into tempering and playing down that experience. There are amazing stories about his acts of courage and faith but they are not told here and are played down -perhaps too much for us, the faithful who thirst for those heroic stories in this century.

amazing, truly a remarkable holy man

This man have suffered so much, he is the truly lived what Jesus told us, to love our ememies and he did. He suffered in jail for 13 years and never felt any hate or anger toward them. He is such a good role model for us, it wouldnt suprise me he would be made a saint one day, cuz he truly was one when he was here on earth, a living martryr.