A blessed and happy Memorial of St. Auguste Chapdelaine, M.E.P., Priest, Missionary, Martyr
St. Auguste Chapdelaine, pray for us.
Almighty and ever-living God, You have raised the Chinese martyrs to be models of our faith. Through Your grace, they had the courage to witness to Your Gospel by giving up their lives. May their blood continue to nourish the seeds of faith in the Chinese people, leading them to know and love You. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect prayer)
“I thank God for the wonderful family He has given me and for the conduct of all its members…. It has been my greatest happiness on earth to have had such an honorable family.” -from a letter to his brother, Nicolas, at the same time, 1852. — St. Auguste Chapdelaine from a letter to his brother, Nicolas
Auguste was born in La Rochelle-Normande, France. Following grammar school, he discontinued his education to work on the family farm. His family opposed his desire to become a priest, but the sudden death of two of his brothers led them to have a change of heart.
He entered the seminary in 1834, studying with boys half his age, and was ordained in 1843. After serving as a parish priest for 7 years, he received permission to serve in the foreign missions.
Auguste left Parish for the Chinese missions in 1852, arriving in Singapore on September 5, 1852.
Because of several setbacks, including being robbed of everything he had by bandits, he finally reached his assignment in the Kwang-si Province in 1854, only to be arrested ten days later. After three weeks in prison, he was released and able to serve the local community for two years, converting hundreds to the Christian Faith.
Auguste was arrested on February 26, 1856, and sentenced to death for his work. He was tortured and died with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and Saint Agnes Tsau Kouy. They were canonized together with other Martyrs of China in 2000. These martyrs are honored collectively on July 9.
(https://aleteia.org/daily-prayer/monday-february-28)
