Five Loaves & Two Fishes [Paperback]

Phanxico Xavie Van Thuan Nguyyen (Author), Francis Xavier Nguyen Thuan (Author), Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Cardinal Francis Xavier Ngyuen Van Thuan In 1975, Cardinal Francis Xavier Ngyuen Van Thuan was arrested by the Communist government of Vietnam and imprisoned for thirteen years, nine of the in solitary confinement, and then finally exiled from Vietnam in 1991. Always reticent about speaking of himself, Cardinal Van Thuan slowly began to realize that his prison experience of suffering and hope could help others in their journey of faith.  The reflections he prepared for the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris became the framework for Five Loaves & Two Fish; the content in his personal Magnificat for the wonders God had worked in and through the small offering of his life - like the fish and loaves in the Gospel, which fed thousands. "Five Loaves & Two Fish reflects a great humility, a great joy, and the virtue of hope.  It calls each of us to give to God the little we have with great confidence that he will turn our small gifts into wonders." -From the Foreword 

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Pauline Books & Media (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819826766
• ISBN-13: 978-0819826763
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and simple meditations, September 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Five Loaves and Two Fish (Hardcover)

This is a treasure of a book. The prayers and meditations contained in it are jewels polished by long hours of suffering. Archbishop Van Thuan spent 13 years in prison in Vietnam, and 9 of those years in solitary confinement. His great love for Christ and for his people illuminated the darkness of his suffering and now shine from every word. His heart was crushed in the winepress of sorrow, and the wine of his words will bring life to your spirit. They are simple and spare, pure and joyful, rich and sparkling with eternal wisdom. This is a small book, but profoundly beautiful.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five loaves and two fish- food for the soul., April 13, 2008

By 

Dr Neil MacNeill "Dr Neil MacNeill" (Ellenbrook, Western Australia, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Loaves & Two Fishes (Paperback)

Father Francis Xavier Nguyen survived the worst that the communist re-educators could throw at him, including nine years of solitary confinement, and he retained his faith due to strong system of values and beliefs. Guidance came from the words of Monsignor John Walsh, imprisoned in China, "I am not going to wait, I will leave each present moment, filling it to the brim with love". Engaging his guards in conversation caused a major discipline problem for the communist authorities.

This small book is packed with inspiration, and the loaves and fish title draws on the Biblical story of Jesus feeding the crowd of five thousand.

The seven homilies are:
The first loaf: Living the present moment;
The second loaf: Discerning between God and god's works;
The third loaf: A fixed point of reference;
The fourth loaf: The Eucharist- my only strength;
The fifth loaf: Love and unity- the testimony of Jesus;
The first fish: My first love- The Immaculate Virgin Mary; and
The second fish: I have chosen Jesus.

Conducting the Eucharist, even in isolation using bread crumbs and "stomach medicine", enabled Father Francis not only to survive but help others also.

One stands in awe of this priestly man who survived, both physically and spiritually, when others would have fallen by the way.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, September 16, 2008

By 

S. Teo (Vancouver) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Loaves & Two Fishes (Paperback)

A short but powerful book by the author that inspires us to dwell not in our knitty-gritty stuff that clogs our life but to surrender what we have to God. Suitable piece for young & old. One you could read over and over as a prayer.