Marcel Nguyễn Tân Văn, known as Marcel Van, was born on March 15, 1928, in Ngăm Giáo, near Bắc Ninh, Vietnam. From a young age, he exhibited a profound spiritual sensitivity, feeling a deep calling to religious life. Despite facing significant hardships, including familial opposition and personal struggles, Van remained steadfast in his faith. At the age of 14, he joined the Redemptorist seminary, where he aspired to become a priest. However, due to health issues and other challenges, he was instead accepted as a lay brother, taking the name Marcel.

During his time with the Redemptorists, Brother Marcel reported experiencing mystical conversations with Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. These spiritual encounters profoundly influenced his spirituality, leading him to embrace and propagate Thérèse's "Little Way," focusing on finding holiness through small, everyday acts of love and humility. Marcel Van dedicated himself to a life of hidden sacrifice and service, embodying a deep sense of joy and simplicity in his vocation.

In 1955, amid the political upheaval in Vietnam, Brother Marcel was arrested by the communist authorities due to his religious activities. He endured harsh imprisonment and was eventually sentenced to forced labor. Despite the severe conditions, he maintained his spiritual fervor, offering his sufferings for the salvation of souls. Marcel Van died on July 10, 1959, in a North Vietnamese prison camp at the age of 31.