Saints celebrated on the 14th of July
SAINT JOHN WANG KUIXIN, MARTYR
A native of Qi County, China (Hebei Province), Saint John Wang Kuixin was a fervently Catholic husband and father. In 1900 a Chinese quasi-religious faction known to history as the “Boxers” embarked upon a bloody persecution of Christians in China.
THEY MOVED TO A VILLAGE THAT WAS CONSIDERED RELATIVELY SAFE
In the face of this threat, John and his cousin (Saint) Joseph Wang Kuiju took their families by wagon to a village that was considered relatively safe because of its large Catholic population.
John and Joseph then began a return journey to their own village. Rain compelled them to take shelter at an inn, where in the course of a conversation they avowed their Catholic identity.
HE WAS URGED NOT TO SPEAK OF HIS FAITH
The Boxers came and immediately beheaded Joseph. John attempted to escape, but he was quickly captured.
He was brought before a pagan mandarin (magistrate), who sought to spare his life by urging him not to speak of his faith.
HE LOUDLY INVOKED THE NAME OF JESUS
John, however, considering this proposal tantamount to a denial of faith, refused it. Reluctantly the mandarin delivered him into the hands of the Boxers. On July 14, 1900, John prayed as he went to his execution, loudly invoking the Holy Name of Jesus before dying.
“To do your will is my desire, to live in you, Lord, is my life.”
PRAYER:
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