Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Story of Saint Agustinus Zhao Rong (1746-1815)

Initially, the empire in China is very tolerant to the spread of Christianity in this Bamboo Curtain country. However, during the Emperor Kia-Kin (1796-1821) issued decisions against Christianity in China. Two rules in 1811 aimed for the Chinese people who are studying Christianity. One decision which was published in 1813 stated that anyone who is out of the Christian religion would be kept away from any punishment. But, for those who still defend Christianity, must be dealt with harshly and deserve jail. As a result of this decision, some people have a martyrdom in this period. One of them, Augustine Zhao Rong.
Augustine Zhao Rong, also known by the name of Augustine Tchao was born in 1746 in Wuchuan, Guizhou, China. He is a soldier. In the army, he is highly respected because always get the highest rankings.
When Bishop John Gabriel Taurine Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society arrived in China, Zhao Rong was chosen to escort. He was escorted Monsignor John Gabriel Taurine for work as a missionary from Chengdu to Beijing. Zhao Rong gave a deep impression of Mgr John Gabriel Taurine. For Msgr John Gabriel Taurine, Zhao Rong figure represents China's military strength is perfect, without flaws, and its activity is always to give enlightenment to others.
Then, Zhao Rong was baptized. He left the army and entered the seminary. The process of coaching and education he lived until ordained as a priest or diocesan Diocesan Vicariate Apostolic in Sichuan. Despite leaving office, the soul of the army was still attached to him. He is known as a priest who dared. He is also known as a priest who is very close to young children. Many young people who he brought to know Christ. A young man closest to him is Chi Zhuzi 18-year-old.
Because of his courage to introduce Christ, Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 young people, including Chi Zhuzi, was arrested in 1815 and imprisoned in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Life in prison is not necessarily easy. Often harsh treatment he received.
Until one day, the time came for Chi Zhuzi will be tortured and skinned before Augustine Zhao Rong. The torturers know, with torture Chi Zhuzi before Augustine Zhao Rong, a young boy who became his followers would be frightened and immediately left the faith. However, Chi Zhuzi face the ordeal with patience. After her right arm was beheaded by a soldier, he shouted, "All my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you, I am a follower of Christ!"
Chi Zhuzi had died before Augustine Zhao Rong who experience similar things. He was tortured to death.
Eighty-five years after the death of Augustine Zhao Rong or in 1900, the Catholic Church by Pope Leo XIII membeatifikasinya. And, 100 years later, on October 1, 2000, Augustine Zhao Rong with 120 martyrs canonized Pope John Paul II. These martyrs died between 1648 until 1930. Most of them, 87 people, was born in China. They consist of the children, parents, catechists, and labor. They were aged between nine years to 72 years. The martyrs included four Diocesan priests of China and 33 overseas-born Chinese martyrs, mostly priests and nuns.
Catholic Church celebrates the commemoration of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his friends, the martyrs of China every July 9. He is remembered as the patron of soldiers.

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