Blessed Martyrs of Songkhon
Seven Thai and Lao Christians shot by police at Songkhon in 1940
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Martyr, Layperson
- Life
- d. 1940
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 16 December
- Countries
- Thailand
Life story
The group had seven members: Philip Siphong Onphitak, a 33-year-old catechist, and six women: Agnes Phila (31) and Lucia Khambang (23) of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, Agatha Phutta (59, a Lao woman), and the girls Cecilia Butsi (16), Bibiana Khampai (15) and Maria Phon (14).
They lived in north-eastern Thailand near the Lao border during the Franco-Thai war of 1940. Local police suspected Catholics of spying for the French, and these people were arrested because of their faith.
According to the sources, they were shot at Songkhon village in Mukdahan province in December 1940, with dates given from 16 to 26 December. The exact timing for each person needs further checking, and the shared feast is given as 16 December (one source says 26 December).
Pope John Paul II beatified the group on 22 October 1989 in Rome. They are among the first Thai martyrs honoured by the Church. Reliable published sources about this group in widely used languages are limited.
Works and witness
- Philip Siphong was the community's catechist
- Two members belonged to the Lovers of the Holy Cross
- Three of the martyrs were girls aged 14 to 16
- Shot by police at Songkhon in December 1940
- Beatified on 22 October 1989
Saints from the same country
References
- Decree of beatification of the Martyrs of Songkhon, John Paul II, 1989
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand, notes on the martyrs
- Martyrologium Romanum (16 December)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.