The Journey of Memory: From the Tam Tòa Bell Tower to the Baptismal Register of Poet Hàn Mặc Tử

The Journey of Memories: From Tam Tòa Bell Tower to the Baptismal Register of Poet Hàn Mặc Tử

The Journey of Memories: From Tam Tòa Bell Tower to the Baptismal Register of Poet Hàn Mặc Tử

Few would have guessed that, in the bustling heart of Da Nang city, there is a church preserving a priceless treasure of Vietnamese literature: the baptismal register over 120 years old recording the birth name of poet Hàn Mặc Tử. This is the result of a historical migration, carrying both the name and soul of a parish from the old Quảng Bình region to the South.

1. Tam Tòa: "Carrying" the homeland on maritime journeys

• The Tam Tòa parish in Da Nang today (Thanh Khê district) is the result of a large migration after the Geneva Agreement in 1954.
• Origins: The Tam Tòa parishioners from Đồng Hới (Quảng Bình) left their homeland by the Nhật Lệ River to establish themselves in Da Nang.
• Preserving the name: They carried the name "Tam Tòa" as a way to affirm: although far from home, the roots and memories of the Portuguese-style church built in 1887 still live on.
• Present and Past: While the old relic in Đồng Hới now only has the moss-covered bell tower – a witness to the devastating bombings, in their new homeland Da Nang, the community has thrived with over 3,000 parishioners, preserving the moral lifestyle of their ancestors.

Cover photo marking the historical milestone of Tam Tòa church in Da Nang

2. The 120-year-old document and the secret of "Phanxicô" Nguyễn Trọng Trí

• The most miraculous thing about the migration in 1954 was not only the statues or altars but the baptismal register (from 1905 - 1914) that the parishioners secretly carried and preserved through many upheavals.
• Father Gioan Nguyễn Văn Hoan, in charge of the Tam Tòa parish in Da Nang, revealed page 437 recorded in Latin – the "spiritual identity card" of poet Hàn Mặc Tử:
• Content: "Anno Domini 1912, die 28 mensis Septembris..." (In the year of our Lord 1912, on the 28th day of September).
• Confirmation: The child born on 22/9/1912, is the son of Mr. Vincent (teacher Toan) and Mrs. Maria Duy.
• Saint Name: The document clearly states the saint name of the boy Nguyễn Trọng Trí is Franciscus (Phanxicô), an important fact that helps conclude the debates about the poet's religion in the literary research community for a long time.

Photo of the valuable document capturing the early moments of poet Hàn Mặc Tử

3. Hàn Mặc Tử: The cultural connection between two regions

• Although the original register is in Da Nang, in Quảng Bình, people also do not forget this talented poet.
• New church: On Phạm Văn Đồng street (Đồng Hới), the newly inaugurated Tam Tòa church in 2023 not only features modern European architecture but also places a statue of poet Hàn Mặc Tử in its grounds.
• Imprint: This is a tribute to a son of the parish, who brought faith and the pain of existence into immortal verses, captivating countless generations of poetry lovers.

Photo of the explanatory board about the formation and development process of Tam Tòa parish in Da Nang over the past 70 years

That fragile piece of paper has gone through more than a century, surviving the bombs of war and the upheavals of history. It not only marks the moment of birth of a poetic genius but also stands as a testament to the power of preserving heritage. From the ruined bell tower in Nhật Lệ to the golden register in Thanh Khê, Tam Tòa remains a continuous cultural current.

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Source: Hoàng Sơn