Saint Chi Zhuzi

Martyr (1882-1900)

His life

+ Chi Zhuzi was born in Dezhaoin in the apostolic vicariate of southeastern Zhili, China.

+ He became a catechumen as a teenager.

+ Before he could be baptized, he was accosted on the road one night and ordered to worship idols. Chi Zhuzi refused to deny his faith in Christ.

+ He was savagely tortured and killed by being flayed alive. His final words were, “Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian.

+ Saint Chi Zhuzi was canonized with Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and 118 other Chinese martyrs in 2000.

Spiritual bonus

On this day the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Apollinaris. This bishop was mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and was a disciple of the Apostle Peter. He became the first bishop of Ravenna, Italy, and was martyred around the year 79.

For reflection

“Chinese men and women of every age and state, priests, religious and lay people, showed the same conviction and joy, sealing their unfailing fidelity to Christ and the Church with the gift of their lives.”—Pope Saint John Paul II

Prayer

All-powerful, ever-living God, turn our weakness into strength. As you gave Augustine Zhao Rong and the martyrs of China the courage to suffer death for Christ, give us the courage to live in faithful witness to you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for the Commemoration of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and the Martyrs of China [July 9])

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.