St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and companions. After Christianity had arrived in China after the 600s, it has struggled to grow in China.
Within the group was a total of 120 martyrs, who had died between the years 1648 and 1930. Close to eighty-seven of the martyrs were actually born in China, and these martyrs could have been a young child, a parent, a catechist, or a laborer. To be more specific the martyrs who had died had ranged from the ages of 9 to 72. The group of martyrs had also included four Chinese diocesan priests. The 33 martyrs who were not born in China were mostly priests or religious women, from many different religious communities such as; the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Society of Jesus, Society of St. Francis de Sales, and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
St. Augustine Zhao Rong was actually a Chinese soldier who had decided to accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse who was part of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his martyrdom in Beijing. St. Augustine was actually ordained as a diocesan priest right after he had been baptized. St. Augustine was martyred during the year 1815.
The group was later beatified at various times. However, these 120 martyrs were canonized together in Rome on October 1, 2000.
Prayer to St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions intercede that we may be able to stay strong in our faith even during moments of persecution or pain. St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions we pray that you may be with all of those who are struggling with their faith and intercede that they may find answers, peace, and trust through The Lord.
Amen
St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited:
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions. ”Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 9, 2021.
Images:
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions. July 9, 2021. St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions - Google Search.