Jean-Théophane Vénard (21 November 1829 at Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet, Diocese of Poitiers, France – 2 February 1861 in Tonkin, Vietnam) was a French Catholic missionary to Indo-China.

The vessel was driven by a heavy gale into Plymouth, England, and after some delay sailed October 10 for the East, arriving at Singapore on New Year's Day, 1853.

A change in plans resulted in his being sent to assist Bishop Pierre-André Retord, at his mission in West Tonkin (northern Vietnam).

[3] Shortly after Vénard's arrival a new royal edict was issued against Christians, and bishops and priests were obliged to seek refuge in caves, dense woods, and elsewhere.

Vénard remained a captive until 2 February, and during this interval lived in a cage, from which he wrote to his family beautiful and consoling letters, joyful in anticipation of his crown.

[3] Towards evening, he was sometimes allowed to go outside to hear confessions from the priests in the prison or to walk around reciting the rosary and singing hymns of thanksgiving, to the amazement of the guards.

[5] Roman Martyrology: "In Hanoi, Tonkin, now Viet Nam, Saint Jean-Theophane Vénard, priest of the Paris Society for Foreign Missions and martyr, who, after six years of clandestine ministry marked by hardship and suffering, locked in a cage and condemned to death under Emperor Tự Đức, went peacefully to his martyrdom.