Footsteps of Thérèse: Brother Marcel Van
Footsteps of Thérèse: Brother Marcel Van
Catholicism was initially brought to Vietnam by European missionaries in 1533. In spite of times of severe persecution, a considerable segment of the populace embraced the Catholic faith. Currently, 7 percent of the nation identifies as Catholic, with an additional 500,000 Vietnamese Catholics migrating to the United States following the Vietnam War.
The Church in Vietnam has given rise to numerous heroic personalities, particularly martyr St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his fellow martyrs, who were canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988. Another Vietnamese Catholic gaining recognition is Servant of God Brother Marcel Van (1928-59), a mystic who embraced St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” to attain profound sanctity in his brief existence.
Jack Keogan, a British individual who has converted Van’s texts into English and who conveys Van’s narrative via the website MarcelVanAssociation.com, remarked after his initial exposure to Van, “I have never come across a tale of such gentle affection, bravery, resilience, and wit, articulated in frequently poetic language.”
Catholic writer Suzie Andres, who maintains a blog titled “Miss Marcel’s Musings” centered on Van, remarked that Van was “as human and insignificant as we are, just as prone to forgetfulness, just as improbable a saint as any of us. Yet he experienced such genuine interactions with Jesus, Mary, and Thérèse — his personal favorite saint — that he encourages us to endeavor to achieve the same.”
Early hardships
Van originated from the Catholic community of Ngam Giao in northern Vietnam. He was raised by a devout Catholic mother and felt a strong connection to the Faith, being devoted to the Blessed Mother from an early age. His aspiration was to become a priest and spread his beliefs to those who did not share them.
He faced numerous challenges during his childhood, both at home and in educational settings. His elder brother, Liet, for instance, was visually impaired, which caused his father to resort to excessive drinking and gambling. A flood devastated the family’s rice farm, resulting in their financial ruin. His profound spirituality incited jealousy among some students at his Catholic school, leading to instances of physical mistreatment. In fact, Keogan recounted a tale shared with him by a parish deacon from Coventry, England, who, upon reading Van’s autobiography, “was so affected by the harshness of his educators that he had to set the book aside and go upstairs to ensure that his sleeping little boy was resting peacefully.”
| On Marcel Van |
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“This young man, who has experienced many emotional wounds during his childhood and youth, has been ‘weaned’ by the tenderness of his heavenly Mother, of his beloved Jesus and of his sister, Thérèse, who was so incredibly close to him. That little Jesus showers him with kisses, that Mary takes him on her knees, that he snuggles up against her breast, all these marks of affection would surprise us, nay, disturb us, if they were not encapsulated in that which is at the heart of little Van’s experience and message: his unbounded confidence in him who is Love.” — Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, OP, archbishop of Vienna |
Van joined the minor seminary with the French Dominicans in 1942. The Dominicans acquainted Van with “The Story of a Soul” by St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-97). He developed a special spiritual connection with St. Thérèse throughout his life, considering himself her “little brother.” Keogan observed that Van possessed a “tenacious resolve” to become a priest, yet “it was St. Thérèse who revealed to him that it was God’s will for him not to be a priest, but rather that his calling was to be the ‘heart of priests.’”
In 1944, when he was 16 years old, Van entered a Redemptorist monastery in Hanoi as a brother. He donned the habit and adopted the name Brother Marcel, fulfilling the roles of both tailor and sacristan for the community. During this period, he asserted that he experienced mystical dialogues with Jesus, and he documented his revelations under the supervision of the novice master, Father Antonio Boucher.
Andres remarked, “What fascinated me were Marcel’s dialogues with Jesus. I’m not particularly devoted to private revelations, yet there was something in Jesus’ voice that touched my heart and made it undeniably clear that this was genuine.”
She went on, “Marcel is perpetually making jokes with Jesus, playfully mocking and being mocked in return, overlooking what [Jesus] expresses, misinterpreting what he records, and responding to Jesus’ profound theological insights with grumbles about his minor aches and difficulties. In response, Jesus reacts with a blend of laughter, affection, kindness, and empathy.”
Van also engaged in discussions with the Blessed Mother and St. Thérèse, from whom he cultivated his “little way of spirituality.”
Van relocated to various communities across the nation and made his final vows in 1952. In 1954, the Communists gained control of North Vietnam, prompting numerous Catholics to escape to the south. However, Van was granted permission to move to the north, as he yearned to serve God in an area where there was minimal affection for him. In 1955, he was apprehended and incarcerated, passing away four years afterward. He was 31.
Profusion of texts
Despite his early demise, Van bequeathed a wealth of written work, much of which was composed in compliance with directives from his superiors. This body of work encompasses his autobiography, letters, and various other writings. Although the texts were initially crafted in French, Keogan started the translation process into English over ten years ago. He remarked, “From the moment I began translating, I could hardly believe the treasure I was discovering as the words revealed themselves before me. I felt compelled to share the tale of love, bravery, wit, and brutal cruelty that was unfolding with anyone willing to listen, and perhaps even some who were less inclined to hear it.”
Andres likens Van’s “discussions” to “obtaining a doctorate in prayer.” She went on to say, “This isn’t particularly unexpected considering that his mentor in the relationship with God was St. Thérèse, who is indeed recognized as a Doctor of the Church. Marcel absorbed her teachings effectively, and he wishes to share them with us as well.”
Keogan remarked, “The dialogues not only amaze us with their charming warmth, but they are frequently disrupted by Jesus’ insistence that these communications of God’s love are intended for everyone.”
The case for Van’s canonization was initiated in France in 1997. It is being advocated by the French group Les Amis de Van.
Andres remarked, “To truly know Van is to adore him. I appreciate the thought of presenting him to others so that he can forge numerous new friendships. If this ultimately benefits his official mission, that would be wonderful. However, what matters most to me is that individuals connect with him, regardless of whether he is ever canonized.”
