On 17 October 2016, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments approved texts for liturgical use on the Memorial of the Martyrs of Laos. December 16 has been chosen as the date for the Memorial of Blessed Joseph Tien, priest, and his companions, martyrs. This date coincides with the anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Jean WAUTHIER. (These liturgical texts may be found on the website of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, www.omiworld.org)
Cardinal Orlando QUEVEDO will be the delegate of Pope Francis at the actual ceremony of beatification, to take place in Vientiane, Laos, on 11 December 2016. Celebrations of thanksgiving will be held in 2017 in Paris (France), Trent (Italy) and Belleville (USA). Information on these events will follow later.
From the decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
During the Indochina War, between the years 1954-1970, seventeen followers of Christ in Laos suffered martyrdom for the sake of His name. Among these martyrs were the young priest, Joseph Tien (1918 – 1954), the first martyr of Laos, and some catechists [Paul Thoj Xyooj (1941-1960), Joseph Outhany (1933-1961) Thomas Khampheuane Inthirath (1952-1968), Luc Sy (1938-1970), Maisam Pho Inpeng (1934-1970)]. Members of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris [Fr. Jean-Baptist Malo MEP (1899-1954), Fr. René Dubroux MEP (1914-1959), Fr. Noel Tenaud MEP (1904-1961), Fr. Marcel Denis MEP (1919-1961), Fr. Lucien Galan MEP (1921-1968)] and of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate [Fr. Mario Borzaga OMI (1932-1960), Fr. Louis Leroy OMI (1923-1961), Fr. Michel Coquelet OMI (1931-1961), Fr. Vincent L’Hénoret OMI (1921-1961), Fr. Jean Wauthier OMI (1926-1967), Fr. Joseph Boissel OMI (1909-1969)] also offered their lives in sacrifice so that the Gospel could be heard. The Church in Laos recognizes these blessed as their founding fathers.
