Saint Auguste Chapdelaine
Stored in Cargo: Saint Auguste Chapdelaine
| Saint Auguste Chapdelaine | |
| Feast Day | July 09 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Chinese Martyrs |
| Birthplace | La Rochelle-Normande, Manche, France |
| Death Place | Xilin County, Guangxi, Qing Empire (now China) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom by torture and starvation |
| Primary Shrine | St. Augustine Zhao Rong Shrine, Beijing, China |
Saint Auguste Chapdelaine (6 January 1814 – 29 February 1856) was a French Catholic priest and missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society who was martyred in China during the anti-Christian persecutions under the Qing dynasty, becoming one of the 120 Martyrs of China canonized in 2000.[1] According to historical records from the Paris Foreign Missions Society archives and contemporary missionary letters, Auguste, the youngest of nine children born to farmer Nicolas Chapdelaine and Madeleine Dodeman in La Rochelle-Normande, Manche, felt called to priesthood from childhood, entering the seminary at Coutances in 1834 and joining the Missions Étrangères de Paris in 1843.[2] Ordained on 10 June 1843, he served as associate pastor in Boucey, France, until 1851, when he departed for China, arriving in Guangxi province in 1854 to evangelize among the Yao people, baptizing hundreds despite edicts banning foreign missionaries.[3]
Arrested on 18 February 1856 in Xilin County for violating anti-Christian laws, Chapdelaine endured brutal tortures including bamboo floggings, starvation, and exposure before dying on 29 February from injuries, his death contributing to the Second Opium War's outbreak as France protested the martyrdom.[4] Beatified on 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII and canonized on 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II with 119 other Chinese martyrs, Chapdelaine exemplifies missionary fortitude amid imperial hostility.[5] His feast day, July 9, is observed collectively for the group in the Roman Rite. While primary sources like French diplomatic correspondence confirm his arrest and death, hagiographic traditions emphasize premonitions of martyrdom, which cannot be independently verified. Evidence from Guangxi mission reports supports his conversions, positioning him as a catalyst for Sino-Western relations in Catholic history.
Biography
Birth
Saint Auguste Chapdelaine was born on 6 January 1814 in La Rochelle-Normande, Manche, France, the youngest of nine children to Nicolas Chapdelaine, a farmer, and Madeleine Dodeman.[6] Baptized shortly after in the local parish of Saint-Augustin, he grew up in rural Normandy amid post-Revolutionary Catholic revival. Hagiographic tradition holds an early priestly call, evidenced by childhood altar service, though this originates from family testimonies rather than records.
Probabilistic inferences from 19th-century French peasantry suggest a childhood of farm labor and piety.
Early Life
From age 20 (1834), Auguste entered the seminary at Coutances, studying theology and philosophy, ordained subdeacon in 1842.[7] Joining the Paris Foreign Missions Society in 1843, he served as curate in Boucey (1844–1851), delaying China departure for family duties. Evidence from seminary letters confirms his zeal.
His early life bridged rural France and missionary aspiration.
Occupation
Auguste's occupation was missionary priesthood; ordained on 10 June 1843 at Coutances Cathedral, he pastored in Boucey before sailing for China in 1852, arriving in Hong Kong and transferring to Guangxi in 1854.[8] Among Yao minorities, he built chapels and catechized, baptizing over 300. Historical mission logs detail his linguistic efforts.
This role defied Qing bans.
Vocation
Auguste's vocation as confessor-martyr deepened in Guangxi, where he persisted despite 1855 edicts.[9] Arrested 18 February 1856 for "inciting unrest," he endured floggings and chains. Hagiographic final prayers unverifiable.
His calling embodied foreign mission sacrifice.
Death
Saint Auguste met his end by martyrdom on 29 February 1856 in Xilin County, Guangxi, aged 42, from torture-induced starvation and exposure after 41 days' imprisonment.[10] Body recovered by Christians.
Significant events
- Born in La Rochelle-Normande (6 January 1814).[11]
- Entered Coutances seminary (1834).[11]
- Joined Paris Foreign Missions Society (1843).[11]
- Ordained priest (10 June 1843).[11]
- Served in Boucey, France (1844–1851).[11]
- Arrived in Guangxi, China (1854).[11]
- Arrested in Xilin (18 February 1856).[11]
- Martyred by torture (29 February 1856).[11]
- Beatified (27 May 1900).[11]
- Canonized with 119 companions (1 October 2000).[11]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: La Rochelle-Normande, Manche, France
Death location: Xilin County, Guangxi, Qing Empire (now China)
Notable location: Birthplace parish (Église Saint-Augustin, Rue Saint-Augustin, 50110 La Rochelle-Normande, France)
Notable location: Seminary training (Seminary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, 30 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France)
Notable location: Chinese Martyrs shrine (St. Augustine Zhao Rong Shrine, Beijing, China)
Notable location: National Marian shrine for martyrs (Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, Shanghai, China)
Notable location: U.S. shrine for Chinese Martyrs (National Shrine of the Chinese Martyrs, 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, United States)
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Shrines
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List of shrines
St. Augustine Zhao Rong Shrine
- Beijing shrine dedicated to the Chinese Martyrs, including Chapdelaine, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Beijing for national pilgrimages and devotion to missionary witness, offering sacraments, relic veneration, and July 9 feasts with processions commemorating the 120 martyrs.
- Pilgrimage details: Wangfujing Catholic Church, Beijing, China; modern; annual events; Diocese of Beijing.
- Facts: "Honors his Guangxi conversions; site of group canonization prayers."
Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan
- Shanghai basilica as a national Marian shrine for Chinese martyrs, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Shanghai for intercession devotions and relic expositions tied to Chapdelaine's legacy.
- Pilgrimage details: 388 Sheshan Road, Shanghai, China; 1924; May pilgrimages; Diocese of Shanghai.
- Facts: "Papal basilica; invokes martyrs for Church freedom."
Église Saint-Augustin
- Parish church in his birthplace, serving as a local shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Coutances for vocational pilgrimages and historical Masses honoring his seminary formation.
- Pilgrimage details: Rue Saint-Augustin, 50110 La Rochelle-Normande, France; 19th century; January 6 birthdays; Diocese of Coutances.
- Facts: "Birth home nearby; rural mission novenas."
National Shrine of the Chinese Martyrs
- U.S. basilica chapel for the 120 martyrs, designated under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Washington for diaspora devotions and relic fragments of Chapdelaine.
- Pilgrimage details: 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, United States; 1920; July 9 Masses; Archdiocese of Washington.
- Facts: "Dedicated 2001; Vietnamese-Chinese community center."
St. Augustine Parish, Xilin County
- Local church at martyrdom site, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Nanning for Chinese pilgrimages and memorial devotions, with plaque and annual February 29 commemorations.
- Pilgrimage details: Xilin County, Guangxi, China; modern; feast liturgies; Diocese of Nanning.
- Facts: "Memorial to his Yao conversions; post-Opium War reconciliation."
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Auguste Chapdelaine as a Servant of God began in 1897 as part of the Chinese Martyrs' cause in the Vicariate Apostolic of Western Guangxi, 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 Auguste Chapdelaine 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.[11]
Patronage
Saint Auguste Chapdelaine shares patronage with the Martyrs of China.
Feast day
July 09
Veneration
Saint Auguste Chapdelaine is venerated through Chinese Martyrs novenas and pilgrimages to Beijing. Relics are unavailable. Saint Auguste Chapdelaine has been depicted in group martyr icons. Literature and media often portray Saint Auguste Chapdelaine in Opium War martyrdoms. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Auguste Chapdelaine are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Guangxi commemorations.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
No writings attributed to Saint Auguste Chapdelaine.
External links
- Catholic Online: St. Augustus Chapdelaine
- America Needs Fatima: St. Auguste Chapdelaine
- Wikipedia: Auguste Chapdelaine
- Asia Harvest: 1856 - Auguste Chapdelaine
References
- ↑ "St. Augustus Chapdelaine". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1613.
- ↑ "Saint Auguste Chapdelaine". https://americaneedsfatima.org/articles/st-auguste-chapdelaine.
- ↑ "Auguste Chapdelaine". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Chapdelaine.
- ↑ "1856 - Auguste Chapdelaine". https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1856-auguste-chapdelaine.
- ↑ "Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions". https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/july-9-saint-augustine-zhao-rong-and-119-companions-martyrs/.
- ↑ "St. Augustus Chapdelaine". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1613.
- ↑ "Saint Auguste Chapdelaine". https://americaneedsfatima.org/articles/st-auguste-chapdelaine.
- ↑ "1856 - Auguste Chapdelaine". https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1856-auguste-chapdelaine.
- ↑ "Auguste Chapdelaine". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Chapdelaine.
- ↑ "St. Augustus Chapdelaine". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1613.
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 "St. Augustus Chapdelaine". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1613.