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Jul 9 - The Chinese Martyrs (2) (1648-1930)
Summary and Homily for the Chinese Martyrs: This is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of one hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st. Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong. Father
Peter Barry MM translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Chinese Martyrs
'If the world hates you, realise that it has hated me before you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also' (Jn 15:18-20). The Church always grows in the midst of persecution. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. This is why the Church in China has been growing.
Honoured and happy
I feel very honoured to be able to give testimony about the martyrs in my own family and home town. They were really martyrs for the faith. I am happy also because the Chinese government gave so much publicity to the event. This caused everyone in Hong Kong, and throughout the world, to be aware that the Catholic Church was organising a canonization ceremony. Curiosity was aroused among those who heard the news, and they asked questions like: What is a canonisation? Who are being canonised? Why are they being canonised? And why are people opposed to their canonisation?
Marytyrdom
Martyrdom means to witness to one's faith and even to sacrifice one's life for it. For example, during the Boxer Revolution of 100 years ago, if you had been ordered to support the Qing Dynasty government and you were killed for not doing so, this would not be looked upon as martyrdom. However, the Boxers ordered the missionaries and the Christians to renounce their faith. They were killed because they refused to do so. This is called martyrdom.
During the persecutions in the year 1900, in Shanxi Province, the names of 2,418 Christians were reported to the Vatican as having given their lives for their faith. In Taiyuan City 69 persons were martyred for the Lord. Of these, only 26 were canonised last year on October 1st. The 69 martyrs gave their lives on three different days: July 9th, 12th and 14th. Two lay women died on July 12th, and 39 Catholics died on July 14th. Among them were my grandfather, Li Zhongyi, and an uncle, Li Shiyan. Three more were seriously wounded, including my father, Li Shiheng.
What follows is the testimony of the experiences of my mother and my father at that time.
Mother's Testimony
My mother reported:
'At about four o'clock on the afternoon of July 9th, just as we were reciting our prayers, we suddenly heard beautiful music coming from the heavens. We had never heard such music before. Suddenly, we saw an orderly row of large white banners coming towards us from Taiyuan City. When the banners passed over our heads the music got louder and more pleasant to the ear. Everyone clasped their hands on their hearts and knelt down. We began to encourage one another, and to think that this was surely a sign that the bishops and priests had already given their lives for their faith.
'Sure enough, the next day a band of soldiers came to our place, and announced that the bishops and others had been killed. Then we all thought that the time had arrived for us to give up our lives for our faith. We all began to prepare ourselves by continuously reciting prayers.
'After a little while a soldier shouted at us: Do you deny your religion or not? Not a sound was heard in response. The soldier then shouted an order that two of the older Christian women should be strung up in the garden. He did this to arouse a fear of death in the hearts of the younger women. The two older women were not in the least afraid. They continually encouraged the younger ones, saying, Young ladies, don't be afraid; now the gate of heaven is open; quickly prepare yourselves to ascend into heaven!
'On July 12th. some officials returned, and tried to frighten us into denying our faith. Again they were met with dead silence. 'Then the officials took down the two older women, who had been strung up, and brought them outside. In a little while they brought in two bowls of blood, and told us that it was the blood of the two women whom they had killed. They did not kill us, but sent us back to the Church.'
Father's Testimony
My father's report:
'On July 14th, Yuxian, the Governor of Shanxi Province, issued an order: All male Christians who are not willing to deny their faith must gather near the North Gate. When the Catholics heard this order they became very excited, and their hearts were filled with joy. They all began marching towards the appointed place. On the way they supported and encouraged one another. My grandfather was one of these fervent Catholics. As soon as he heard the order, he said to my fifteen-year-old father and my uncle, Let's go. We are going to heaven today! Li then said goodbye to his family and began walking towards the place of martyrdom. From their home to the appointed place was only about a twenty-minute walk, but they had to pass through some winding streets.
'When they arrived at the place of martyrdom, many Catholics had already gathered there. Most people knew one another. The place was not very large and the Christians were many. Each one was barely able to find space for himself. Everyone knelt down in a very composed manner and they began to recite their favourite prayers.
Helping the executioner
'According to the custom of the time, the men wore the pigtail. To make it easier for the executioner to kill them, each one brought the pigtail forward over their heads and held it in front of them with their hands. They also bent their backs forward and stretched their necks out as far as they could so that there was enough room for the sword to strike them cleanly.
'They waited for over three hours in the morning, but there was no sign of the executioners. The Christians began to become agitated. Was it possible they would be denied the crown of martyrdom? Then, about noon, a band of executioners, led by some soldiers, arrived at the place. The volume of the Christians' prayers grew louder. And they stretched their necks even straighter.
'At the sound of the command, Kill, the executioners began swinging their swords wildly.
Narrow escape
'My grandfather and my uncle were kneeling along the path of the square. Their heads were swiftly and cleanly severed from their bodies. It so happened that my father was kneeling next to a large rock. Therefore, when the sword came down, most of it struck the rock, and it only cut open some flesh on his neck. His throat was not damaged. 'Because the Christians were many, the executioners did not pay close attention as to whether the heads of everyone had been separated from their bodies. In this way my father was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face, as my grandfather and uncle did.
'The swordsmen had executed only about 10% of the Christians when the commander gave the order to stop the killing. The soldiers and executioners began to return to their barracks. The Catholics who had survived were very disappointed. They blocked the executioners' withdrawal, beseeching them to kill them also. But nothing could be done. The order had already been given. The executioners would not wield their swords again. The Christians fell into each other's arms weeping.
'My grandfather and my uncle were among the 39 martyred for the faith that day.
'My father was wounded, but survived. He would later recall, When the sword of the executioner came down upon my neck, the only thing I felt was the coldness of it. Then I lapsed into unconsciousness. I lay in a pool of blood for two days and two nights. I do not know how much blood I lost.
Good Samaritan
'On the morning of the third day, i.e. July 16th, a non-Christian was passing by and he noticed a slight movement among the corpses. He went closer and saw that it was someone he knew. Then he heard my father whisper, I am thirsty.
'Then this goodhearted man, realising that he had lost a lot of blood, took some rainwater from a puddle in a piece of broken crockery and, drop by drop, poured it onto his lips. He then ran to my grandmother to report that her son was still alive. She brought him to live temporarily in another village located about ten miles from the city.
'No medicine was applied to my father's wound, nor did the family have any money for injections or to buy pills. My grandmother just entrusted my father to God's care. God will arrange everything, she thought. Miraculously the wound closed and became completely healed. Later when my father narrated the story of his near-martyrdom to others, he always said: From the time I received my wound up until it was completely healed, I never felt any pain. Doesn't that prove that God is always with me?'
Conclusion
Hearing about the experiences of the martyr-saints causes us to feel that what Saint Paul wrote was right: 'No creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Through the intercession of the martyr-saints of China, let us ask the Lord to help us to follow their example and to witness to the Gospel in our daily lives by loving God and loving others.
May God bless you!
Postscript
The above article is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of a hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st.
Happily, Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong.
We are indebted to Father Peter Barry MM who translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Editor.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (May 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Peter Barry MM translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Chinese Martyrs'If the world hates you, realise that it has hated me before you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also' (Jn 15:18-20). The Church always grows in the midst of persecution. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. This is why the Church in China has been growing.
Honoured and happy
I feel very honoured to be able to give testimony about the martyrs in my own family and home town. They were really martyrs for the faith. I am happy also because the Chinese government gave so much publicity to the event. This caused everyone in Hong Kong, and throughout the world, to be aware that the Catholic Church was organising a canonization ceremony. Curiosity was aroused among those who heard the news, and they asked questions like: What is a canonisation? Who are being canonised? Why are they being canonised? And why are people opposed to their canonisation?
Marytyrdom
Martyrdom means to witness to one's faith and even to sacrifice one's life for it. For example, during the Boxer Revolution of 100 years ago, if you had been ordered to support the Qing Dynasty government and you were killed for not doing so, this would not be looked upon as martyrdom. However, the Boxers ordered the missionaries and the Christians to renounce their faith. They were killed because they refused to do so. This is called martyrdom.
During the persecutions in the year 1900, in Shanxi Province, the names of 2,418 Christians were reported to the Vatican as having given their lives for their faith. In Taiyuan City 69 persons were martyred for the Lord. Of these, only 26 were canonised last year on October 1st. The 69 martyrs gave their lives on three different days: July 9th, 12th and 14th. Two lay women died on July 12th, and 39 Catholics died on July 14th. Among them were my grandfather, Li Zhongyi, and an uncle, Li Shiyan. Three more were seriously wounded, including my father, Li Shiheng.
What follows is the testimony of the experiences of my mother and my father at that time.
Mother's Testimony
My mother reported:
'At about four o'clock on the afternoon of July 9th, just as we were reciting our prayers, we suddenly heard beautiful music coming from the heavens. We had never heard such music before. Suddenly, we saw an orderly row of large white banners coming towards us from Taiyuan City. When the banners passed over our heads the music got louder and more pleasant to the ear. Everyone clasped their hands on their hearts and knelt down. We began to encourage one another, and to think that this was surely a sign that the bishops and priests had already given their lives for their faith.
'Sure enough, the next day a band of soldiers came to our place, and announced that the bishops and others had been killed. Then we all thought that the time had arrived for us to give up our lives for our faith. We all began to prepare ourselves by continuously reciting prayers.
'After a little while a soldier shouted at us: Do you deny your religion or not? Not a sound was heard in response. The soldier then shouted an order that two of the older Christian women should be strung up in the garden. He did this to arouse a fear of death in the hearts of the younger women. The two older women were not in the least afraid. They continually encouraged the younger ones, saying, Young ladies, don't be afraid; now the gate of heaven is open; quickly prepare yourselves to ascend into heaven!
'On July 12th. some officials returned, and tried to frighten us into denying our faith. Again they were met with dead silence. 'Then the officials took down the two older women, who had been strung up, and brought them outside. In a little while they brought in two bowls of blood, and told us that it was the blood of the two women whom they had killed. They did not kill us, but sent us back to the Church.'
Father's Testimony
My father's report:
'On July 14th, Yuxian, the Governor of Shanxi Province, issued an order: All male Christians who are not willing to deny their faith must gather near the North Gate. When the Catholics heard this order they became very excited, and their hearts were filled with joy. They all began marching towards the appointed place. On the way they supported and encouraged one another. My grandfather was one of these fervent Catholics. As soon as he heard the order, he said to my fifteen-year-old father and my uncle, Let's go. We are going to heaven today! Li then said goodbye to his family and began walking towards the place of martyrdom. From their home to the appointed place was only about a twenty-minute walk, but they had to pass through some winding streets.
'When they arrived at the place of martyrdom, many Catholics had already gathered there. Most people knew one another. The place was not very large and the Christians were many. Each one was barely able to find space for himself. Everyone knelt down in a very composed manner and they began to recite their favourite prayers.
Helping the executioner
'According to the custom of the time, the men wore the pigtail. To make it easier for the executioner to kill them, each one brought the pigtail forward over their heads and held it in front of them with their hands. They also bent their backs forward and stretched their necks out as far as they could so that there was enough room for the sword to strike them cleanly.
'They waited for over three hours in the morning, but there was no sign of the executioners. The Christians began to become agitated. Was it possible they would be denied the crown of martyrdom? Then, about noon, a band of executioners, led by some soldiers, arrived at the place. The volume of the Christians' prayers grew louder. And they stretched their necks even straighter.
'At the sound of the command, Kill, the executioners began swinging their swords wildly.
Narrow escape
'My grandfather and my uncle were kneeling along the path of the square. Their heads were swiftly and cleanly severed from their bodies. It so happened that my father was kneeling next to a large rock. Therefore, when the sword came down, most of it struck the rock, and it only cut open some flesh on his neck. His throat was not damaged. 'Because the Christians were many, the executioners did not pay close attention as to whether the heads of everyone had been separated from their bodies. In this way my father was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face, as my grandfather and uncle did.
'The swordsmen had executed only about 10% of the Christians when the commander gave the order to stop the killing. The soldiers and executioners began to return to their barracks. The Catholics who had survived were very disappointed. They blocked the executioners' withdrawal, beseeching them to kill them also. But nothing could be done. The order had already been given. The executioners would not wield their swords again. The Christians fell into each other's arms weeping.
'My grandfather and my uncle were among the 39 martyred for the faith that day.
'My father was wounded, but survived. He would later recall, When the sword of the executioner came down upon my neck, the only thing I felt was the coldness of it. Then I lapsed into unconsciousness. I lay in a pool of blood for two days and two nights. I do not know how much blood I lost.
Good Samaritan
'On the morning of the third day, i.e. July 16th, a non-Christian was passing by and he noticed a slight movement among the corpses. He went closer and saw that it was someone he knew. Then he heard my father whisper, I am thirsty.
'Then this goodhearted man, realising that he had lost a lot of blood, took some rainwater from a puddle in a piece of broken crockery and, drop by drop, poured it onto his lips. He then ran to my grandmother to report that her son was still alive. She brought him to live temporarily in another village located about ten miles from the city.
'No medicine was applied to my father's wound, nor did the family have any money for injections or to buy pills. My grandmother just entrusted my father to God's care. God will arrange everything, she thought. Miraculously the wound closed and became completely healed. Later when my father narrated the story of his near-martyrdom to others, he always said: From the time I received my wound up until it was completely healed, I never felt any pain. Doesn't that prove that God is always with me?'
Conclusion
Hearing about the experiences of the martyr-saints causes us to feel that what Saint Paul wrote was right: 'No creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Through the intercession of the martyr-saints of China, let us ask the Lord to help us to follow their example and to witness to the Gospel in our daily lives by loving God and loving others.
May God bless you!
Postscript
The above article is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of a hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st.
Happily, Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong.
We are indebted to Father Peter Barry MM who translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Editor.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (May 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 9th July, 2025
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
The story of Joseph and his brothers is a reminder of our sins and repentance, and God's forgiveness.
Optional Memorial of Ss Augustine Zhao Rong, convert, priest, martyred in 1815.
We also celebrate Augustine's 119 Chineze companion martyrs who were also killed in the Boxer Uprising.
C/f A short life of these saints can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7. 17-24
Truly we are being called to account for our brother.
When the country of Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread. But the Pharaoh told all the Egyptians,
'Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.' - There was famine all over the world. -Then Joseph opened all the granaries and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine grew worse in the land of Egypt. People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, for the famine had grown severe throughout the world.
[caption id="attachment_30655" align="alignleft" width="250"]
Joseph questions his brothers in Egypt.[/caption]Israel's sons with others making the same journey went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan. It was Joseph, as the man in authority over the country, who sold the grain to all comers. So Joseph's brothers went and bowed down before him, their faces touching the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers he recognised them. But he did not make himself known to them, and he spoke harshly to them.
'Where have you come from?' he asked.
'From the land of Canaan to buy food' they replied.
Then he kept them all in custody for three days.
On the third day Joseph said to them,
'Do this and you shall keep your lives, for I am a man who fears God. If you are honest men let one of your brothers be kept in the place of your detention; as for you, go and take grain to relieve the famine of your families. You shall bring me your youngest brother; this way your words will be proved true, and you will not have to die!' This they did.
They said to one another, 'Truly we are being called to account for our brother. We saw his misery of soul when he begged our mercy, but we did not listen to him and now this misery has come home to us.' Reuben answered them, 'Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you did not listen, and now we are brought to account for his blood.'
They did not know that Joseph understood, because there was an interpreter between them. He left them and wept.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:2-3, 10-11, 18-21 R/v 22
Response May your love be upon us, 0 Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
1. Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
O sing him a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill. Response
2. He frustrates the designs of the nations, he defeats the plans of the peoples.
His own designs shall stand for ever, the plans of his heart from age to age. Response
3. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. Response
Gospel Acclamation James 1: 18
Alleluia, alleluia!
By his own choice the Father makes us his children by the message of the truth,
so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he created.
Alleluia!
Or Mk 1: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand, repent and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 10:1-7 Glory to you, O Lord
Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him.These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows:
'Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town;
go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 10:1-7
The story of Joseph which we are reading at present has many resonances with the story of Jesus. Joseph was rejected by his brothers, left for dead. Yet, he was delivered from death by passing travellers and brought to Egypt. In time, he gained the trust of the Pharaoh and he was put in charge of the grain reserves. When famine struck the land of Israel, it was to Egypt that Jacob’s brothers went for food. When they arrived in Egypt they discovered to their amazement that the one they had rejected had now become their Saviour. As was true of Jesus, the rejected stone had become the corner stone. The rejection of Jesus is already hinted at in today’s gospel reading.
One of the twelve whom Jesus chose from the wider group of disciples was Judas Iscariot, ‘the one who was betray him’.
Like Joseph, Jesus was handed over to death by one of his brothers, one of his closest associates.
Like Joseph, Jesus was delivered from death by God. To a much greater extent than Joseph, Jesus became a life-giver for all who turned to him in faith, including for those who put him to death.
The story of Joseph, and especially the story of Jesus, shows how God can bring unexpected new life out of death. This is true of our own lives. Our death at the end of our earthly lives is anticipated by experiences of death and loss in the course of our lives. As the risen Lord can bring eternal life out of our final death, so he can bring new life in various forms out of our many experiences of death and loss throughout our earthly lives. When all seems lost, we can continue to live in the firm hope that the Lord is powerfully at work in the midst of our loss, even if we don’t fully understand how at the time.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Saints of the Day : July 9, St Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions, Martyrs,
Augustine Zhao Rong was a diocesan priest (1746-1815) is one of 120 people martyred in China between 1648 and 1930. The 87 Chinese martyrs include children and parents, catechists and seminarians, and four priests. 33 Europeans of whom were missionary bishops, priests and religious.
CanonisationOn 1 October 2000, Pope John Paul II canonised 120 Catholics martyred in China between 1648 and 1930. Of these, 87 were indigenous Chinese and 33 were missionaries; 86 died during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Three were indigenous Chinese priests - Fr Augustine Zhao Rong, Fr Joseph Yuan and Fr Thaddeus Liu. Others were lay catechists, seminarians, widows and young women, farmers, servants and cooks.
Patrick Duffy looks at the different periods of contact of Christianity with Chinese culture and records some of the details of the martyrdoms.
Early Attempts to Evangelise China
Nestorian Christianity was first preached in China in the 5th century and lasted for about two centuries.
A second Christian presence was established during the Mongol times when Franciscan missionary John of Montecorvino (1247-1328) was named archbishop of Beijing but disappeared after about 40 years when the the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368.
Jesuit Matteo Ricci and the Chinese Rites (16th century)
In 1552, St Francis Xavier died on the island of Shangchuan before he actually reached the mainland of China.
Thirty years later the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci arrived in Macao, then under Portuguese influence, and began learning Chinese. By 1598 he was in Beijing and through his love and respect for Chinese customs as well as his expertise in astronomy and mathematics, he had obtained a position of influence at the Imperial Court. Some Chinese, influenced by Ricci's Christian spirit, asked for baptism and became fervent Christians, while preserving their Chinese identity and culture. Christianity was not seen as opposed to Chinese values, but as enriching them with a new dimension. The Jesuits allowed participation in traditional Chinese ritual celebrations in honour of the ancestors.
Pope Clement XI (Giovanni Francesco Albani, 1700-21), prompted by the Dominicans, Franciscans and Augustinians denounced these Chinese Rites as pagan and forbade Catholics to take part. Emperor K'ang Hsi became angry. The result was that some missionaries and faithful lay people were killed, and many churches destroyed. But the Christian presence remained. Ricci died in Beijing in 1610.
First Wave of Persecutions
In 1648 Manchu Tartars who were hostile to Christianity invaded the region of Fujian and beheaded a Dominican priest Francis Fernández de Capillas, while he recited the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
Second Wave of Persecutions (18th century)
Towards the middle of the eighteenth century another five Spanish missionaries, who who worked in China between 1715-1747, were put to death as a result of a new wave of persecution that started in 1729 and broke out again in 1746. This was in the epoch of the Emperor Yung-Cheng and of his son, K'ien-Lung.
Those killed were: Dominican Bishop Peter Sans i Yordà martyred at Fuzou in 1747, and four Dominican priests Francis Serrano, Joachim Royo, John Alcober and Francis Diaz, all killed on 28th October 1748.
Third wave of persecution (early 19th century, 1805-60)
The third wave of persecution of Christianity took place in the early years of the nineteenth century. While Catholicism had been authorised by some Emperors, Emperor Kia-Kin (1796-1821) published decrees against it. The first was issued in 1805. Two edicts of 1811 were directed against those among the Chinese who were studying to receive sacred orders, and against priests who were propagating the Christian religion.
The following is an account of the martyrs of that period:
Peter Wu, a Chinese lay catechist. Born of a pagan family, he received baptism in 1796 and passed the rest of his life proclaiming the Christian religion. All attempts to make him apostasise were in vain. He was sentenced and strangled on 7 November 1814.
Joseph Zhang Dapeng, a lay catechist, and a merchant. Baptised in 1800, he evangelised in the city of Kony-Yang. He was imprisoned, and strangled on 12 March 1815.
Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Society was put to death in 1815.
Fr Augustine Zhao Rong, a Chinese diocesan priest. He had been a soldier who had escorted Monsignor Dufresse from Chengdu to Beijing, and was moved by his patience and asked to be baptised; he was then sent to the seminary and then ordained a priest. Arrested, he suffered the most cruel tortures and died in 1815.Fr John da Triora OFM was put in prison together with others in the summer of 1815, condemned to death, and strangled on 7 February 1816.
Fr Joseph Yuan, a Chinese diocesan priest. Greatly influenced by Mgr Dufresse, Joseph was baptised and ordained and preached Christianity in various districts. Arrested in August 1816 and strangled on 24 June 1817.
Vincentian priest Fr Francis Regis Clet set out for China in 1791 and for thirty years evangelised three provinces of the Chinese Empire: Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan. Betrayed by a Christian, arrested, imprisoned, he was tortured and strangled on 17 February 1820.
Fr Thaddeus Liu, a Chinese diocesan priest. Condemned to death and strangled on 30 November 1823.
Chinese lay catechist Peter Liu. He was arrested in 1814 and condemned to exile in Tartary, where he remained for almost twenty years. Returning to his homeland he was again arrested, and was strangled on 17 May 1834.
Chinese lay catechist Joachim Ho. He was baptised aged twenty. In the great persecution of 1814 he was tortured and sent into exile in Tartary, where he remained for almost twenty years. Returning to his homeland he was arrested again and refused to apostasize. Following that, the death sentence was confirmed by the Emperor, and he was strangled on 9 July 1839.
Paris Foreign Missionary priest Fr Augustus Chapdelaine went to China in 1852. He arrived in Guangxi at the end of 1854. Arrested in 1856, he was tortured, condemned to death in prison, and died in February 1856.
Chinese layman Laurence Bai Xiaoman, an unassuming worker. He joined Fr Chapdelaine in the refuge that was given to the missionary and was arrested with him and brought before the tribunal. Nothing could make him renounce his religious beliefs. Beheaded on 25 February 1856.
Agnes Cao Guiying, a widow, born into an old Christian family. She was dedicated to the instruction of young girls who had recently been converted by Fr Chapdelaine. Arrested, imprisoned and executed on 1 March 1856.
Three catechists, known as the Martyrs of MaoKou (in the province of Guizhou) were killed on 28 January 1858, by order of the Mandarin of MaoKou: Jerome Lu Tingmei, Laurence Wang Bing, Agatha Lin Zao. All three were asked to renounce Christianity. They refused and were beheaded.
Two seminarians and two lay people, one of whom was a farmer, the other a widow who worked as a cook in the seminary, suffered martyrdom together on 29 July 1861. They are known as the Martyrs of Qingyanzhen (Guizhou): Seminarians Joseph Zhang Wenlan and Paul Chen Changpin, along with John Baptist Luo Tingying, a layman, and Martha Wang Luo Mande, a laywoman.
In the following year, on 18 and 19 February 1862, another five people gave their life for Christ. They are known as the Martyrs of Guizhou: Fr John Peter Neel, a priest of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, and four lay catechists - Martin Wu Xuesheng, John Zhang Tianshen, John Chen Xianheng, and Lucy Yi Zhenmei.
The Opium War: reprieve from persecution
Political events towards the end of this period caused a reprieve in the persecution of Christians. In June 1840, the Imperial Commissioner of Guangdong, wishing to abolish the opium trade that was being conducted by the British, had more than twenty thousand chests of this drug thrown into the sea. This was the pretext for war, which was won by the British. When the war came to an end, China had to sign in 1842 the first international treaty of modern times, followed quickly by others with America and France. At this time, France replaced Portugal as the power protecting the missions. And subsequently a twofold decree was issued: one part in 1844 which permitted the Chinese to follow the Catholic religion; the other, in 1846, with which the old penalties against Catholics were abolished.
From then on the Church could more openly carry out its missionary activity, developing it also in the sphere of higher education, in universities and scientific research. Closer links were gradually established between the Church and China with its rich cultural traditions. So this was an era of expansion in Christian evangelising until the period of the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900), when there was a push for the re-instatement of Chinese values. This resulted in the martyrdom of more missionaries and many Catholic Chinese.
Persecutions Associated with the Boxer Rebellion (1900)
The following groups - mostly of the Franciscan family - were martyred at this period and afterwards:
a) The Martyrs of Shanxi, killed on 9 July 1900, who were Franciscan Friars Minor: these were two Franciscan bishops - Bishops Gregory Grassi and Francis Fogolla, two priests - Frs Elias Facchini and Theodoric Balat, and one religious brother, Brother Andrew Bauer.
b) The Martyrs of Southern Hunan, who were also Franciscan Friars Minor: Bishop Anthony Fantosati, and Fathers Joseph Mary Gambaro and Cesidio Giacomantonio, martyred around the same time.
c) There were also seven Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, three of whom were French, two Italian, one Belgian, and one Dutch: Sisters Mary Hermina of Jesus (Irma Grivot), Mary of Peace (Mary Ann Giuliani), Mary Clare (Clelia Nanetti), Mary of the Holy Birth (Joan Mary Kerguin), Mary of Saint Justus (Ann Moreau), Mary Adolfine (Ann Dierk), and Mary Amandina (Paula Jeuris).
d) There were also eleven secular Franciscans, all Chinese: five of these were seminarians: John Zhang Huan, Patrick Dong Bodi, John Wang Rui, Philip Zhang Zhihe, John Zhang Jingguang; six others were laymen, catechists, servants and labourers: Thomas Shen Jihe, Simon Qin Cunfu, Peter Wu Anbang, Francis Zhang Rong, Matthew Feng De, Peter Zhang Banniu.
e) Other Chinese lay faithful were: James Yan Guodong, farmer, James Zhao Quanxin, manservant, Peter Wang Erman, cook.
f) Four French Jesuit missionaries and at least 52 Chinese lay Christians: men, women and children – the oldest of them being 79 years old, while the youngest were aged only nine years all suffered martyrdom in the month of July 1900.
The Jesuits priests were: Fathers Leo Mangin, Paul Denn, Rémy Isoré, Modeste Andlauer,
The Chinese lay Christians were as follows: Mary Zhu born Wu (aged about 50 years), Peter Zhu Rixin (19), John Baptist Zhu Wurui (17), Mary Fu Guilin (37), Barbara Cui born Lian (51), Joseph Ma Taishun (60), Lucy Wang Cheng (18), Mary Fan Kun (16), Mary Chi Yu (15), Mary Zheng Xu (11), Mary Du born Zhao (51), Magdalene Du Fengju (19), Mary du born Tian (42), Paul Wu Anjyu (62), John Baptist Wu Mantang (17), Paul Wu Wanshu, aged 16, Raymond Li Quanzhen, (59), Peter Li Quanhui (63), Peter Zhao Mingzhen (61), John Baptist Zhao Mingxi (56), Teresa Chen Tinjieh (25), Rose Chen Aijieh (22), Peter Wang Zuolung (58), Mary Guo born Li (65), Joan Wu Wenyin (50), Zhang Huailu (57), Mark Ki-T'ien-Siang (66), Ann An born Xin (72), Mary An born Guo (64), Ann An born Jiao (26), Mary An Linghua (29), Paul Liu Jinde (79), Joseph Wang Kuiju, aged 37, John Wang Kuixin (25), Teresa Zhang born He (36), Lang born Yang (29), Paul Lang Fu (9), Elizabeth Qin born Bian (54), Simon Qin Cunfu (14), Peter Liu Zeyu (57), Ann Wang (4), Joseph Wang Yumei (68), Lucy Wang born Wang (31), Andrew Wang Tianqing (9), Mary Wang born Li (49), Chi Zhuze (18), Mary Zhao born Guo (60), Rose Zhao (22), Mary Zhao (17), Joseph Yuan Gengyin (47), Paul Ge Tingzhu (61), and Rose Fan Hui (45).
Alberic Crescitelli was a priest of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions of Milan (PIME), who carried out his ministry in Southern Shanxi. He was martyred on 21 July 1900.
Two Salesians in 1930
Some years later, two members of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco were added to the martyrs recorded above:
Bishop Louis Versiglia and Fr Callistus Caravario were killed together on 25 February 1930 at Li-Thau-Tseul.
Still today there is evidence of the “imprisoned and tortured martyr bishops José Fan Zhonglian and Cosme Shi Enxiang, who spent 14 years under house arrest until their death,” and that of Jaime Su, “disappeared since 2003 and of whom it is not known whether he is alive or dead.” If he were still alive, “he would be about to turn 90 years old and would have spent most of his life deprived of his freedom.”
We all need to pray for God's help for Christians bearing witnesses to the Lord in China.
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Memorable Quote for Today
“We came here to exercise charity and to shed our blood for the love of Jesus Christ, if that needs be.” and It was!
~Saint Marie Hermine~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 9th July, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Geinesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24.
Go deimhin féin tá ár ndeartháir á agairt orain.
Nuair a luigh an gorta ar chríocha na Éigipte go léir, ghlaoigh na daoine ar Fhorann ag iarraidh aráin; agus dúirt Forann leis na hÉigiptigh go léir: “Téigí go Iósaef, agus déanaigí mar a déarfaidh sé libh.” Nuair a leath an gorta ar fud na tíre go léir, d’oscail Iósaef na taiscí go léir, agus dhíol an t-arbhar leis na hÉigiptigh mar go raibh an gorta dian i dtír na Éigipte. Agus tháinig daoine ó cheithre hairde na cruinne go dtí an Éigipt chun arbhar a cheannach ó Iósaef, mar go raibh an gorta dian ar fud an domhain ar fad.
Tháinig clann Iosraél dá réir sin, fara daoine eile a bhí ag déanamh an turais chéanna, chun arbhar a cheannach mar go raibh gorta i dtír Chanán. Ba é Iósaef a bhí i gceannas ar an tír agus is é a bhí ag díol le gach a dtáinig. Agus tháinig deartháireacha Iósaef agus shléachtadar síos go talamh dó. Nuair a chonaic Iósaef a dheartháireacha, d’aithin sé iad, ach ní dhearna sé ach caitheamh leo mar a dhéanfadh le daoine deoranta agus labhairt leo go borb:“Cad as daoibh?” ar sé.
“Ó thír Chanán,” ar siad, “a thángamar chun bia a cheannach.”
Ansin chaith sé iad go léir isteach i bpríosún ar feadh trí lá.
Ar an tríú lá dúirt Iósaef leo:
“Déanaigí mar seo, agus ní baol daoibh an bás, mar is duine mé ar a bhfuil eagla Dé; más dream macánta sibh, fanadh deartháir agaibh sa charcair ina bhfuil sibh agus téadh an chuid eile le harbhar chun fóirithint ar ghátar bhur dteaghlach. Agus tugaigí an deartháir is óige agaibh chugamsa, i dtreo go bhfíorófaí bhur scéal agus sibh a dhul slán ón mbás.” Rinneadar amhlaidh. Ansin dúradar le chéile:
“Go deimhin féin tá ár ndeartháir á agairt orainn! Chonaiceamar a bhuaireamh anama agus é ag impí orainn agus gan aon aird againn air. Uime sin a tháinig an buaireamh seo orainn.”
D’fhreagair Reúbaen: “Nach ndúirt mise libh gan coir a dhéanamh in aghaidh an bhuachalla? Ach thug sibh an chluas bhodhar dom agus seo anois a fhuil á hagairt orainn!”
Ní raibh a fhios acu gur thuig Iósaef iad, mar bhí teanga labhartha eatarthu. D’iompaigh seisean i leataobh agus ghoil; ansin d’fhill orthu agus labhair leo; agus thóg sé Simeon uathu agus chuir cuibhreacha air os comhair a súl.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 32:2-3, 10-11, 18-21 R/v 22
Freagra Go dtaga do bhuanghrá orainn, a Thiarna,
de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat.
1. Gabhaigí buíochas leis an Tiarna ar an gcruit; déanaigí ceol dó ar an gcláirseach dheichthéadach.
Canaigí amhrán urnua dó; canaigí go healaíonta is go hardghlórach dó. Freagra
2. Cuireann sé comhairle na gciníocha ó rath agus beartas na náisiún ar neamhní.
Maireann comhairle an Tiarna go brách agus a smaointe ó aois go haois. Freagra
3. Féachann an Tiarna ar an dream lenarb eagal é agus a chuireann a ndóchas ina bhuanghrá,
chun a n-anam a shaoradh ón mbas agus iad a bheathú le linn gorta. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 10: 1-7 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Téigí faoi dhéin chaoirigh caillte theaghlach Iosrael.
San am sin ghlaoigh Íosa chuige a dháréag deisceabal agus thug dóibh údarás ar na spioraid mhíghlana chun go gcaithfidís amach iad agus go leigheasfaidís gach galar agus gach éagruas.
Is iad seo ainmneacha an dá aspal déag: Síomón ar dtús, ar a dtugtar Peadar, agus Aindrias a dheartháir,
Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir, Pilib
Parthalán, Tomás agus Matha poibleacánach, Séamas mac Ailfáias agus Tadáias, Síomón Díograiseach agus Iúdás Isceiriót, an fear a bhraith é.Chuir Íosa uaidh an dáréag sin leis na horduithe seo leanas:
“Ná gabhaigí an bóthar chun na ngintlithe agus ná téigí isteach i gcathair Shamárach ar bith; ní hea, ach téigí faoi dhéin chaoirigh caillte theaghlach Iosrael.
Agus i n bhur mbóthar daoibh, bígí á fhógairt go bhfuil ríocht na bhflaitheas in achmaireacht.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th July, 2025
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Good Samaritan Sunday Gospel reminds us, appeals to us calls to us, urges us, shouts to us
to be a good Samaritan to others and ourselves for God's sake and our own, like Jesus was and is.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy 30: 10-14
The Word is very near to you for your observance.
Moses said to the people:
'Obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping those commandments and laws of his that are written in the Book of this Law, and you shall return to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
'For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, "Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?"
Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, "Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?"
No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.'
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 68
Response Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive.
1. This is my prayer to you, my prayer for your favour.
In your great love, answer me, O God, with your help that never fails:
Lord, answer, for your love is kind; in your compassion, turn towards me. Response
2. As for me in my poverty and pain let your help, O God, lift me up.
I will praise God's name with a song; I will glorify him with thanksgiving. Response
3. The poor when they see it will be glad and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy and does not spurn his servants in their chains. Response
4. For God will bring help to Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The sons of his servants shall inherit it; those who love his name shall dwell there. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians 1: 15-20
All things were created through Christ and for him.
Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation,
for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –
all things were created through him and for him.
Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity.
Now the Church is his body, he is its head.
As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth,
when he made peace by his death on the cross.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 15: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
Or Jn : 63.68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words are spirit and they are life: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 10: 25-37 Glory to you, O Lord
Who is my neighbour?
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, 'Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
He said to him,'What is written in the Law? What do you read there?'
He replied,
'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself'.
'You have answered right,' said Jesus 'do this and life is yours.'
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbour?'
Jesus replied,
'A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side.But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper.
"Look after him," he said "and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have."
Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands` hands?' 'The one who took pity on him' he replied.
Jesus said to him, 'Go, and do the same yourself.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th July, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as LeabharDeotranaimí 30:10-14
Tá an briathar an-ghar duit le comhlíonadh.
Dúirt Maois lesi an bpobal:má ghéilleann tú do ghlór an Tiarna do Dhia agus a aitheanta a choimeád agus na reachtanna leis atá scríofa sa leabhar seo a dhlí, agus má chasann tú chun an Tiarna do Dhia ó do chroí go hiomlán agus ó d’anam go hiomlán.
'Óir an dlí seo a aithním duit inniu níl sé thar do chumas ná gan breith agat air. Ní ar neamh atá sé agus nár mhór duit a rá:
‘Cé rachaidh suas ar neamh dúinn lena bhreith anuas chugainn, chun go gcluinfimís é agus déanamh dá réir?”
Ní mó ná sin is thar lear atá agus nár mhór duit a rá:
‘Cé rachaidh thar lear dúinn agus é a thabhairt chugainn chun go gcluinfimís é agus déanamh dá réir?”
Ní amhlaidh atá; tá an briathar an-ghar duit; tá sé i do bhéal agus i do chroí agat le comhlíonadh.'
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 68
Freagra Cuardaigh an Tiarna, a dhaoine ísle, agus athbheofar bhur gcroí
1. Chugatsa a chuirim m'urnaí, a Thiarna, an uair is mian leat féin.
Éist liom de réir do bhuanghrá agus do chúnaimh chinnte.
Freagair mé as ucht do dhilghrá, a Thiarna; iompaigh chugam de réir do thrócaire. Freagra
2. Maidir liomsa, nuair is daibhir dobrónach mé, tógadh do chúnamh mé, a Dhia.
Molfaidh mé ainm Dé le hamhrán; déanfaidh mé é a mhóradh le haltú buíochais. Freagra
3. Beidh áthas ar na hísle nuair a fheicfidh siad é; athbheofar croíthe lucht cuardaithe an Tiarna.
Éisteann an Tiarna leis na daoine bochta, is ní thugann droim láimhe da bhraighdeanaigh. Freagra
4. Óir déanfaidh Dia Síón a shaoradhagus atógfaidh sé cathracha Iúda.
Beidh siad ina n-oidhreacht ag sliocht a sheir bhíseach, ag an muintir a thugann grá dá ainm. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Colosaigh 1:15-20
Is trí an Chríost a cruthaíodh an t-iomlán.
Is íomhá den Dia dofheicthe an Chríost agus céadghin gach dúile cruthaithe mar is trídsean a cruthaíodh
a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamhbídís sofheicthe nó dofheicthe, idir Thróin agus Thiarnais
idir Phrionsachtaí agus Chumhachtaí. Is trídsean agus dósan a cruthaíodh an t-iomlán.
Tá tosach aige orthu uile agus is ann a choinnítear ar bun iad.
Is é ceann an choirp é, ceann na hEaglaise.
Is é an tús é, an chéadghin ó mhairbh i dtreo go mbeadh an tosach aige ar gach slí.
Mar is ann ab áil le lánmhaireacht iomlán Dé a bheith ina cónaí,
agus is trídsean ab áil leis gach a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh
a thabhairt chun athmhuintearais leis féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Éisteann mo chaoirigh le mo ghlór,a deir the Tiarna agus aithním iad, agus leanann siad mé.
Alleluia!
Comhgháir an tSoiscéil Eo 6: 63, 68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Na focail atá ráite agat, a Thiarna, is spiorad agus is beatha iad. Is agatsa atá briathra na beatha síora.í
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 10:25-37 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Agus cé hé mo chomharsa?
San am sin d’éirigh dlíodóir ina sheasamh agus dúirt leis, á phromhadh:
“A Mháistir, cad tá le déanamh agam chun go mbeinn páirteach sa bheatha shíoraí?”
Dúirt sé leis: “Cad tá scríofa sa dlí? Cad a léann tú ann?”
D’fhreagair sé agus dúirt:
“‘Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia ó do chroí go hiomlán agus ó d’anam go hiomlán agus ó do neart go hiomlán agus ó d’aigne go hiomlán’; agus ‘do chomharsa mar thú féin.’”
Dúirt sé leis: “Thug tú an freagra ceart: déan an méid sin agus beidh an bheatha agat.”
Ach ó b’áil leis seo a cheart a phlé, dúirt sé le Íosa: “Agus cé hé mo chomharsa?”
Thug Íosa freagra air á rá:
“Bhí fear ag dul síos ó Iarúsailéim go hIreachó, agus tharla i measc robálaithe é a rinne é lomadh agus é leadradh agus é a fhágáil ina ndiaidh leathmharbh. Ach le halt na haon uaire, bhí sagart ag dul síos an bóthar sin, agus ar a fheiceáil dó, ghabh sé don taobh thall thairis. Mar an gcéanna do Léivíteach: ar theacht chun na háite agus ar a fheiceáil dó, ghabh sé don taobh thall thairis.Ach, Samárach a bhí ag gabháil an bóthar, tháinig sé mar a raibh sé, agus ar a fheiceáil dó, ghabh trua é, agus chuaigh sé anonn chuige agus chuir ceangal ar a chréachta, tar éis dó ola agus fíon a dhoirteadh iontu; chuir sé ar mhuin a bheithígh féin é, sheol go teach ósta é, agus rinne cúram de. Agus lá arna mhárach, thóg sé amach dhá dhéanar agus thug don óstóir iad agus dúirt: ‘Déan cúram de, agus cibé méid a chaithfidh tú thairis sin, íocfaidh mé leat é ag filleadh dom.’
Cé acu den triúr sin, do bharúil, ba chomharsa don té a tharla i líon na robálaithe?”
Dúirt sé: “An té a rinne an trócaire air.”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Imigh leat, agus déan féin mar an gcéanna.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
