The story of the Church in china is a long and often troubled one. Christianity arrived in the 600s. Depending on China's political situation over the centuries, Christianity was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 17th century was particularly brutal.
It was then that St. Augustine Zhao Rong, a Chinese soldier became familiar with the Catholic Faith. The soldier had been ordered by his government to escort a Catholic bishop to be martyred in Beijing. Augustine was so impressed and moved by the bishop’s faith that he requested baptism. He soon entered the seminary and was ordained a diocesan priest. In 1815, he was arrested, tortured, and martyred.
The other martyrs we remember today include parents, catechists, laborers, and priests. 33 of the martyrs were missionaries from foreign lands who had traveled to the far-east to help plant the Christian faith in China: among them were Franciscans and Dominicans and Jesuits—men and women who heard the Master’s call to witness to him in the face of death.
I discovered recently that Christians continued to be put to death in China through the 1960s.
You may have heard of the Legion of Mary, that wonderful apostolic association founded in 1921 by servant of God Frank Duff. Well in the late 1940s, Christianity began to flourish in China through the efforts of the Legion of Mary. Irish priest Fr. Aeden McGrath founded about 2000 Legion of Mary groups, leading to the Communist Regime in October 1951, officially labeling the Legion of Mary as “counter‑revolutionary” even "public enemy number one".
Legion leaders and members underwent arrest, imprisonment, and execution. For instance, Francis Shen, president of the Shanghai Senatus, was arrested in 1951 and executed in 1960 after being convicted of teaching faith in prison.
Today we hear about the underground Church in China, the parishes and communities that refuse to submit to the state-run Chinese Church and remain loyal to the Pope. The Chinese government imposes frequent raids, arrests, forced disappearances of clergy, and fines on the underground Church. My guess is that those courageous underground Catholics have strong ties to the Legion of Mary—God bless them.
Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed prayers and support for China’s Catholics since his election a few months ago. We do well to remember our brothers and sisters there, and all those who suffer persecution for the Gospel. They remind us to remain courageous when we face pressure to compromise our faith. Even in the face of common temptation, their witness strengthens us to hold fast to Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them:
For Pope Leo XIV that he may guide the Church into renewed unity and zeal for her mission, and that the Church, especially in China and other areas where she is persecuted, may remain strong and united in her witness amidst sufferings.
For the conversion of hearts, especially among governments who persecute believers, that like St. Augustine Zhao Rong those who once persecuted Christ may come to embrace him.
Inspired by the martyrs who followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life, and that the sick and the suffering, the poor and afflicted may be sustained in their trials.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Heavenly Father, by the witness of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions, you have poured out the Spirit of courage on your Church. Grant that we too may stand firm in faith, bear true witness to Christ, and serve your people with love—even unto suffering. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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