July 9 2018 - St. Augustine Zhao and 119 Companion Martyrs

During his twenty-six-year reign as Pope from 1978–2005, Pope St. John Paul II canonized 482 saints, that’s more saints in his 26 years as pope than all popes of the previous 1,000 years combined. John Paul canonized men and women, young and old, from all walks of life, and from all around the world, to raise our consciousness, our awareness, of God working in human hearts.

He canonized hundreds of non-European saints, a great reminder that God is at work in places like Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

120 of those 482 saints are celebrated today, St. Augustine Zhao and his 119 martyred companions. These 120 Catholics weren’t aren’t at the same time, but over a period of almost 300 years, from 1648 to 1930, in China. They were lay people, clergy, and religious ranging in age from 9 to 72.  87 of them were native born chinese, and the rest were foreign born missionaries.

St. Augustine Zhao Rong was not born to Catholic parents, he was a Chinese soldier who became familiar with the Catholic faith when he was ordered to escort a bishop to his martyrdom in Beijing.  Augustine was so impressed and moved by the bishop’s faith, Augustine asked to be baptized.  He 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, people like you and me, who remained faithful to Christ during times of persecution. They would often work to spread Christianity secretly, when the faith was outlawed by the Chinese government. They were hated by not just government officials, but by just about everybody, but they were faithful.

Christianity continues to have a difficult time in China. The Communist Chinese government seeks to control the Church, seeks to control the selection of bishops and the priests who are ordained and it puts limitations on missionary activity.

So these martyrs are such important witnesses to the Chinese Catholics and to all of us. In a letter to the Chinese Christians in 2006, Pope Benedict wrote of his admiration for their great sufferings undergone for Jesus Christ. 

May the Lord increase our willingness to suffer for the spread of our saving faith. Through the prayers of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions, may we witness to the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ in our speech, in our conduct, in our generosity with our time, talent, and treasure  for the glory of God and 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:

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure.

The martyrs followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

That all missionaries may have courage and strength in their witness to the Gospel, for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, and for increased willingness among Christians to answer the missionary call.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July: That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests. We pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord