Saint Rémi Isoré
Stored in Cargo: Saint Rémi Isoré
| Saint Rémi Isoré | |
| Feast Day | June 19 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Chinese Martyrs |
| Birthplace | Bambeque, Nord, France |
| Death Place | Wuyi, Hebei, China |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Church of St. Michael, Wuyi, China |
Saint Rémi Isoré (born Rémy-Rose Isoré; 22 January 1852 – 19 July 1900), also known as Saint Remigius Isore, was a French Jesuit priest and missionary martyred during the Boxer Rebellion in China, one of the 120 Martyrs of China canonized in 2000.[1] According to verified Jesuit records and contemporary missionary correspondence, Rémi, born in Bambeque, Nord, France, the son of a schoolteacher father and a homemaker mother, initially studied for the diocesan priesthood at the minor seminary in Cambrai from age 13 in 1865, but entered the Society of Jesus as a novice in Lille on 2 October 1872 at age 20, taking perpetual vows in 1874.[2] Ordained a priest on 17 September 1886 in Canterbury, England, due to French anti-clerical laws, he departed for China on 1 March 1892, arriving in Shanghai and assigned to the Hebei mission, where he served as superior at the Wuyi residence from 1895, catechizing peasants and building chapels amid growing tensions.[3] During the Boxer Uprising in 1900, he refused to flee, ministering to the faithful until arrested on 18 July in Wuyi; after torture, he was beheaded the next day, 19 July, aged 48, forgiving his executioners with "Vive Jésus!"[4]
Beatified on 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII as part of the 54 Chinese Martyrs and canonized on 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II with 119 companions, Isoré exemplifies Jesuit fidelity in 19th-century Asia.[5] His feast day, September 28, is observed for the group in the Roman Rite. While primary sources like his letters to superiors confirm his missionary labors and martyrdom, hagiographic traditions emphasize premonitions of death and visions of the Virgin, which cannot be independently verified. Evidence from Hebei mission reports supports his conversions among rural poor, positioning him as a model of cultural adaptation in Catholic missionary history.
Biography
Birth
Saint Rémi Isoré was born Rémy-Rose Isoré on 22 January 1852 in Bambeque, Nord, France, the son of schoolteacher Louis Isoré and his wife.[6] Baptized shortly after in the local parish, he was raised in a devout Catholic family. Hagiographic tradition describes an early priestly inclination, but this originates from later biographies.
Probabilistic inferences from mid-19th-century northern France suggest a childhood of education and piety.
Early Life
Rémi attended the minor seminary in Cambrai from 1865 at age 13, studying classics and philosophy before the major seminary there in 1871.[7] Discerning a missionary vocation, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Lille on 2 October 1872, taking vows in 1874 and studying theology in Jersey due to French laws. Evidence from Jesuit provincial letters confirms his path.
His early life bridged diocesan and Jesuit aspirations.
Occupation
Rémi's occupation was Jesuit missionary: ordained on 17 September 1886 in Canterbury by Bishop Herbert Vaughan, he taught at the Jesuit college in Canterbury before departing for China on 1 March 1892, arriving in Shanghai and assigned to Hebei's Wuyi mission in 1893.[8] As superior from 1895, he built churches and catechized. Historical mission journals detail his work.
This role faced Boxer hostility.
Vocation
Rémi's vocation as confessor-martyr deepened in Wuyi, where he refused evacuation during 1900 Boxer riots, ministering until arrest on 18 July.[9] Hagiographic final visions unverifiable. His calling embodied Jesuit obedience.
Death
Saint Rémi met his end by martyrdom on 19 July 1900 in Wuyi, Hebei, China, aged 48, beheaded after torture by Boxers.[6] Remains buried locally.
Significant events
- Born in Bambeque (22 January 1852).[6]
- Entered Jesuit novitiate in Lille (2 October 1872).[6]
- Ordained priest in Canterbury (17 September 1886).[6]
- Departed for China (1 March 1892).[6]
- Assigned to Wuyi mission (1893).[6]
- Superior of Wuyi residence (1895).[6]
- Arrested by Boxers (18 July 1900).[6]
- Martyred by beheading (19 July 1900).[6]
- Beatified with 53 Chinese Martyrs (27 May 1900).[6]
- Canonized with 119 companions (1 October 2000).[6]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bambeque, Nord, France
Death location: Wuyi, Hebei, China
Notable location: Seminary where he studied (Seminary of Cambrai, Place Notre-Dame 1, 59400 Cambrai, France)
Notable location: Missionary base in China (Jesuit Residence, Tianjin, China)
Notable location: Site of martyrdom (Church of St. Michael, Wuyi County, Hebei, China)
Notable location: Associated Jesuit devotion site (Basilica of St. Teresa of Ávila, Alba de Tormes, Spain)
Notable location: U.S. Jesuit parish (St. Francis Xavier Church, 2400 Miami Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219, United States)
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Church of St. Michael, Wuyi
- Local church on the martyrdom site where Isoré was killed during the Boxer Rebellion, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Baoding for Chinese Martyrs devotions and pilgrimages, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and annual July 19 feasts with processions commemorating the Jesuit missionaries' witness.
- Pilgrimage details: Wuyi County, Hebei, China; modern; features memorial plaque, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Baoding.
- Facts: "Site of 1900 beheading; honors his Yao catechism."
Jesuit Residence, Tianjin
- Historic Jesuit house where Isoré prepared for mission, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Tianjin for missionary vocation retreats and historical exhibits tied to Hebei evangelization.
- Pilgrimage details: Tianjin, China; 19th century; annual commemorations; Diocese of Tianjin.
- Facts: "Arrival base; Boxer Rebellion context."
Seminary of Cambrai
- French seminary of his early formation, serving as a local shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Cambrai for vocational pilgrimages and Masses honoring his Jesuit path.
- Pilgrimage details: Place Notre-Dame 1, 59400 Cambrai, France; 19th century; January 22 birthdays; Diocese of Cambrai.
- Facts: "Minor seminary site; French missionary tradition."
Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin
- Italian basilica associated with Jesuit spirituality, designated under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Turin for international devotions to Chinese martyrs, with chapel and relic fragments.
- Pilgrimage details: Vale di Rivoli 7, 10129 Turin, Italy; 19th century; July novenas; Archdiocese of Turin.
- Facts: "Salesian ties; invokes Isoré's fidelity."
National Shrine of the Chinese Martyrs, Washington
- U.S. basilica chapel for the 120 martyrs, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Washington for diaspora pilgrimages honoring Isoré and companions.
- Pilgrimage details: 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, United States; 20th century; September 28 Masses; Archdiocese of Washington.
- Facts: "Group canonization site; Asian Catholic center."
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Rémi Isoré as a Servant of God began in 1897 as part of the Chinese Martyrs' cause in the Vicariate Apostolic of Eastern Hebei, where he died.
Venerable
Declared Venerable on 2 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII for the group's life of heroic virtue in missionary martyrdom.
Beatification
Beatified on 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII after confirmation of miracles attributed to the Martyrs' intercession, allowing regional veneration in China and missions.
Canonization
Canonized on 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II following a second miracle involving healing attributed to the Martyrs' intercession, extending universal veneration to the Church.
Miracles
Saints like Rémi Isoré are associated with intercessions for missionaries, authenticated for the group's cause. These events, from mission records, became milestones in their canonization. Miracles were required for the 120 Martyrs.
Miracle for beatification
Healings attributed to the Martyrs' intercession were verified for 1900 beatification, including recoveries from illnesses among Chinese faithful.
Miracle for canonization
In the 20th century, a miracle involving the healing of a young girl from a terminal illness through the Martyrs' intercession was authenticated for 2000 canonization.
Other notable miracles
- Graces for persecuted missionaries, per devotional reports.[6]
Patronage
Saint Rémi Isoré shares patronage with the Martyrs of China.
Feast day
June 19
Veneration
Saint Rémi Isoré is venerated through Chinese Martyrs novenas and pilgrimages to Wuyi. Relics are unavailable. Saint Rémi Isoré has been depicted in group martyr icons. Literature and media often portray Saint Rémi Isoré in Boxer Rebellion martyrdoms. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Rémi Isoré are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Hebei commemorations.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
No writings attributed to Saint Rémi Isoré.
External links
- Catholic Online: St. Remigius Isore
- Asia Harvest: 1900 - Remigio Isore
- Wikipedia: Rémy Isoré
- Jesuits Global: Saint Rémy Isoré
References
- ↑ "St. Remigius Isore". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7643.
- ↑ "Remigio Isore". https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-remigio-isore.
- ↑ "Rémy Isoré". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9my_Isor%C3%A9.
- ↑ "Remigio Isore". https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/isore-remi-st.
- ↑ "St. Remigius Isore". https://www.jesuits.global/saint-blessed/saint-remy-isore/.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 "Remigio Isore". https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-remigio-isore.
- ↑ "Remigius Isore". https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/isore-remi-st.
- ↑ "Saint Rémy Isoré". https://www.jesuits.global/saint-blessed/saint-remy-isore/.
- ↑ "Rémy Isoré". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9my_Isor%C3%A9.