St. Gregory Grassi and Companions

St. Gregory Grassi was born in Italy during the year 1823. St. Gregory felt a very large calling to join the religious life and he was later ordained during the year 1856. Five years after St. Gregory’s ordination he was sent to China. St. Gregory was later ordained as the bishop of North Shanxi. St. Gregory was with 14 other European missionaries and 14 Chinese religious when he was martyred during the short but bloody Boxer Uprising during the year 1900.

Close to Twenty-six of these martyrs were arrested because Yu Hsien, who was the governor of Shanxi province and he had ordered their arrest. They were later hacked to death on July 9, 1900. Five of the martyrs were Friars Minor; seven of the martyrs were Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and they were the first martyrs of their congregation. Seven of the martyrs were Chinese seminarians and Secular Franciscans; four of the martyrs were Chinese laymen and Secular Franciscans. The other three Chinese laymen who were killed had worked for the Franciscans and were arrested with the others. Three Italian Franciscans were martyred that same week in the province of Hunan. All of these martyrs were later beatified during the year 1946, and were among the 120 martyrs who were canonized during the year 2000.

Prayer to St. Gregory Grassi and Companions

St. Gregory Grassi and Companions intercede that we may be able to stay strong in moments of temptation, sadness, uncertainty or pain. Help us to find peace and calmness through prayer and help us to make other people be calm and peaceful during difficult moments.

Amen

St. Gregory Grassi 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.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Franciscan media. “Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions. ”Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 8, 2021.

Images:

Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions. July 8, 2021. Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions - Google Search