Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung
![[Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung]](saintn03.jpg "photo of Blessed Nicholas, photographer unknown; thanks to Thaweechot Tatiyapermpoon")
- Also known as
- Nikola Bunkerd Kitbamrung
- Memorial
- 12 January
- Profile
- One of six children.
His parents were converts, and he was raised as a Christian.
Entered the Hang Xan Minor Seminary at age 13, and the Penang Major Seminary, Malaysia in 1920.
Ordained in Bangkok, Thailand in 1926.
Pastor at Bang Nok Khneuk and Phitsanulok.
Missionary to northern Vietnam from 1930 to 1937, working to bring back Catholics who had fallen from their practice due to poverty.
When war broke out between France and Indochina, Nicholas was accused of spying for the French.
In 1941 he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
There he contracted tuberculosis which, with the hardships of prison, eventually killed him, but not before he spent two years bringing the faith to his fellow prisoners, baptizing at least 68.
Thailand's first martyr priest.
- Born
- 31 January 1895 at Nakhon Chaisri, Thailand
- Died
- 12 January 1944 of tuberculosis at Bangkok, Thailand
- Beatified
- 5 March 2000 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Rome, Italy
- Canonized
- pending
- Images
- Gallery of images of Blessed Nicholas [5 images, 48 kb]
