ST JEAN-GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR

ST JEAN-GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 11 SEPTEMBER

SAINT JEAN-GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre was a missionary and martyr, born at Puech, Diocese of Cahors, France, January 6, 1802; he was martyred at Ou-Tchang-Fou [武汉, Wuhan], China, September 11, 1840.

ALREADY AT A YOUNG AGE, HE FELT THE DIVINE CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Jean-Gabriel was one of eight children born to Pierre Perboyre and Marie Rigal. By reason of his piety, he was the model of his companions during his childhood. He felt the Divine call to the priesthood, and after obtaining the consent of his father to take the step, he entered the noviciate of the Congregation of the Mission, in the seminary of Montauban, December, 1818.

HE MADE THE FOUR VOWS OF THE VINCENTIANS

On the feast of the Holy Innocents, 1820, he made the four vows of the Vincentians. He was raised to the priesthood in 1825, in the chapel of the Sisters of Charity, by Bishop Dubourg, of New Orleans.

HE HAD PRAYED FOR PERMISSION TO GO TO CHINA AS A MISSIONARY

Shortly after, he was sent to the seminary of Saint-Flour to teach dogmatic theology, and two years later, he was appointed superior of the preparatory seminary of Saint-Flour. His great sanctity and marvellous success induced his superiors, in 1832, to appoint him subdirector of the novitiate in Paris. He continued in this office until 1835, when he had sought and begged and prayed for, permission to go to China, there to preach, to suffer, and to die.

HE STARTED STUDYING THE CHINESE LANGUAGE

He left Havre on March 21, and on August 29, 1835, arrived at Macao, where he spent some time studying the Chinese language. On December 21, 1835, he began his journey to Ho-Nan [湖南], the mission assigned him. In January 1838, he was transferred to the mission of Hou-Pe [湖北], in which, as in that of Ho-Nan[湖南], he laboured zealously and with great success.

IN 1839, THE PERSECUTIONS AGAINST CHRISTIANS BROKE OUT IN HOU-PE

In September 1839, the persecutions against Christians broke out in Hou-Pe [湖北], and Jean-Gabriel was one of the first victims. The events leading to his death bear a striking resemblance to the Passion and Death of Christ. A neophyte, like another Judas, betrayed Jean-Gabriel for thirty ounces of silver. He was stripped of his garments and clothed with rags, bound, and dragged from tribunal to tribunal. At each trial, he was treated inhumanly, tortured both in body and in soul.

THE DEATH SENTENCE WAS RATIFIED BY AN IMPERIAL EDICT

Finally, he was taken to Ou-Tchang-Fou [武汉, Wuhan], and after unparalleled tortures, was condemned to death. The sentence was ratified by an imperial edict, and on September 11, 1840, Jean-Gabriel was led to death with seven criminals. The holy priest was strangled to death on a cross.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Jean-Gabriel confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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