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A Biographical Sketch of
by Robert Stone, C.M. |
John Gabriel Perboyre was born in the little hamlet of Puech, diocese of Cohors, France, January 6, 1802. In a truly Christian household of eight children, five of whom entered the family of St. Vincent de Paul, John Gabriel so distinguished himself that from his earliest years he became the object of his parents' fondest hopes. His application to study equaled his piety which was so great as to acquire for him the appellation of the "Little Saint."
On Christmas day, 1818, he entered the Congregation of the Mission, and made his vows in 1820. He was ordained a priest September 23, 1825, and from that time, as the Brief of Beatification tells us, he belonged entirely to God for Whose glory and the salvation of souls, he resolved to spend himself without reserve.
He was successively Seminary Professor, Superior of a College and Director of Novices at the Mother House of the Vincentians in Paris. But during all this time his consuming desire and most ardent prayer was that he might be allowed to labor on the foreign missions. During fourteen years he begged this permission in vain, but finally the long-sought privilege was granted. Father Perboyre embarked from Havre, France, March 21, 1835, and arrived in Macao, China, August 29th of the same year. For four years he labored with astonishing success in the provinces of Honan and Hupeh. Then the edict of persecution was promulgated by the Emperor.
In a truly marvelous manner, the disciple was to mirror forth the Passion and death of his Master; in the martyrdom of a humble missionary was to be reenacted the tragedy of Good Friday. Father Perboyre was betrayed into the hands of the authorities by one of his own neophytes for thirty pieces of silver.
He was dragged from one tribunal to another, an object of bitter scorn and brutal mockery. He was beaten and scourged time after time until his poor body was one great bleeding wound. He was confined in the fetid cells of a Chinese prison for almost a year and was eventually condemned to be strangled on a cross; all this because he boldly confessed the Faith of Christ. On Friday, September 11, 1840, he was hurried out beyond the walls of Wuchang to the place of final torture. For a few brief, precious moments he knelt in silent prayer, his wan, emaciated face suffused with the light of coming glory. Then rough hands bound his arms and legs tightly to the cross. Black clouds had hidden the sun from sight as the executioner coiled a heavy rope around the martyr's neck and twisted it slowly, slowly, tighter and tighter. Faintly from Father Perboyre's lips came the sanctified words, "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
But it was not yet the end. In a spirit of tigerish cruelty, the noose was loosened for a moment. A quiver passed through the martyr's frame as the air rushed into his lungs. But the respite was only momentary. Again the rope was twisted and held till all signs of life had fled and the martyr's head was resting on his breast. Above in the darkened sky, a luminous cross was plainly visible, the seal of God on a life spent in His service.
Two years later, Pope Gregory XVI signed the decree introducing the cause of John Gabriel's beatification. On November 10, 1889, Pope Leo XIII placed him in the catalogue of the Blessed and set November 7th for his Feast. Since that time devotion to this Blessed Martyr has spread rapidly and many miracles have rewarded the supplications of his faithful clients. May God speed the day when the Church will accord to him the honors of Canonizationl Blessed John Gabriel, pray for us!
Note: On Sunday, June 2, 1996, Pope John Paul II canonized and declared to the whole world that John Gabriel Perboyre (1802-1840) is officially a saint.
Brief Chronology of the Life of St. John Gabriel Perboyre
About the Life of St. John Gabriel Perboyre - excerpt by Thomas Davitt, C. M.
John Gabriel Perboyre, C. M.: Martyr and First Saint of China by Joseph Chow Chih-yi, C.M.
The Canonization of John Gabriel Perboyre and the Missionary Commitment of the Congregation by Juan Delgado, C. M.
The Case for Canonization: English | en français | en español
Similarities between the deaths of Christ and St. John Gabriel Perboyre
Gallery - St. John Gabriel Perboyre - photos of important sites.
Prayer of St. John Gabriel Perboyre
Index to the Website for St. John Gabriel Perboyre
