Martyr (ca. 1840-1900)
His life
+ Iosephus (Joseph) was born in Qianshenzhuang, Hebei, China.
+ A layman and physician, he later became a catechist, supporting the work of the European missionaries.
+ During the anti-Western, anti-Christian persecutions of the Boxer Rebellion, Iosephus and his family were among those targeted by the authorities. Although most of his family renounced their Christian faith, Iosephus persevered and was ultimately martyred on June 26, 1900, in the village of Wangla.
+ Saint Iosephus Ma Taishun was canonized with other Chinese martyrs in 2000.
For prayer and reflection
“For the law of God this holy man engaged in combat to the death. His faith was founded on solid rock; he feared no wicked threats.”—from The Liturgy of the Hours
Prayer
O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by adorning blessed Iosephus with the victory of martyrdom, graciously grant that, as he imitated the Lord’s Passion, so we may, by following in his footsteps, be worthy to attain eternal joys. 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.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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