Annually on July 9 the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the 120 Martyrs of China. Religious persecution has a long history in China, especially persecution of Christians, thousands of whom have died for their faith in the last millennium. Chinese Martyrs is the name given to a number of members of the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church who were killed in China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most were Chinese laity, but others were missionaries from various other countries; many of them died during the Boxer Rebellion.
The 120 Catholics who died between 1648 and 1930 as its “Martyr Saints of China” were canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000. Of the group, 87 were Chinese laypeople and 33 were missionaries; 86 died during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The 33 foreign-born missionaries, mostly priests and religious, included members of the Order of Preachers, Friars Minor, Jesuits, Salesians, and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
One of the more well-known native martyrs was a 14-year old Chinese girl named Ann Wang, who was killed during the Boxer Rebellion when she refused to renounce her religious faith. She bravely withstood the threats of her torturers, and just as she was about to be beheaded, she radiantly declared, “The door of heaven is open to all” and repeated the name of Jesus three times.
Another of the martyrs was 18-year old Chi Zhuzi, who had been preparing to receive the sacrament of Baptism when he was caught on the road one night and ordered to worship idols. He refused to do so, revealing his belief in Christ. His right arm was cut off and he was tortured, but he would not deny his faith. Rather, he fearlessly pronounced to his captors, before being flayed alive, “Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am Christian.”
Augustine Zhao Rongwas the first native Chinese priest to become a martyr. Born in 1746, he was one of the soldiers who escorted Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse to his martyrdom in Beijing. The witness of the bishop led Augustine to seek baptism at age 30. He was ordained a priest five years later and was martyred in 1815.
Fr. John Gabriel Perboyre, CM, was the first canonized martyr of China. He was tortured and died on the cross. Through his intercession and many miracles, people received graces. The Pope canonized him on June 2, 1996, and he became the first canonized martyr of China.
Fr. Francisco Fernandez de Capillaswas the first martyr in China. He was assigned to evangelize China in 1641. He set out from Manila, passing Taiwan, stayed for some months before he went to evangelize in the Fujian province. He was arrested by soldiers, beheaded and died in Fu-an on January 15, 1648.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Writings
(Year A).The region of Pak-kong where our Shiu-chow Mission is found was, throughout this year and still is at the moment, one of the main theatres of war between the North and South of China. Some districts, like Nam-yung, Chi-hing, Lin-chow and Yeung-shan, were taken then retaken at least seven times by enemy factions, with the consequent looting and stealing every time an army was forced to retreat, and the imposition of enormous bounties any time another army managed to enter.
As if that were not enough, bands of pirates, taking advantage of the inevitable anarchy, grew to such an extent that the poor people were not safe anywhere and in many districts no longer dared to leave home, not even for urgent work in the fields, and we will see the results of that unfortunately this coming year.
Once those beasts in human form would at least leave the women in peace; now not even these are respected but are indiscriminately rounded up and taken as hostage, and if they are not redeemed within a certain period, they are sold to other countries.
So this year our missionaries were in a constant state of alarm, constantly running from one place to another to use their peaceful influence in an attempt to save now a village, then a group of Christians or a family; at other times to lighten unjust demands; or again, to console and infuse courage in people under the constant nightmare of serious threats.
This work of disinterested charity on behalf not only of Christians but pagans as well, can only bring valuable results over time. Already we have noticed a great increase in the respect shown to the missionaries and a current of ever-growing sympathy toward the Catholic Church. (Letter of St. Luigi Versiglia; +1930)
Musical Selection
Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving trinity, lay aside all worldly cares, that we may receive the King of all, invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Collect
All-powerful, ever-living God,
turn our weakness into strength.
As you gave Augustine Zhao Rong and the martyrs of China
the courage to suffer death for Christ,
give us the courage to live in faithful witness to you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
