Martyred Saints Of China
Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of the 120 martyr saints of China.
SAINT AUGUSTINE ZHAO RONG and other 119 martyrs who were killed in China for their faith in Jesus between the years 1648 and 1930. The martyrs include 87 native Chinese and 33 foreign missionaries. The 120 martyrs were canonised on 1 October 2000 by Pope Saint John Paul II.
Augustine Zhao Rong was the first native Chinese priest to become a martyr. He was born in 1746 and served as one of the soldiers who escorted Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse to his martyrdom in Beijing. The bishop’s witness led Augustine to seek baptism at age 30. He was ordained a priest five years later and was martyred in 1815.
Opening Prayer
Almighty and ever-living God, you have raised the Chinese martyrs to be models of our faith. Through your grace, they had the courage to witness to your Gospel by giving up their lives. May their blood continue to nourish the seeds of faith in the Chinese people, leading them to know and love you. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
First Reading
The Fourth Song of the Servant: His Passion and Glory
See, my servant shall prosper; he will be exalted and highly praised.
Just as many have been horrified at his disfigured appearance: “Is this a man? He does not look like one,”
so will nations be astounded, kings will stand speechless, for they will see something never told, they will witness something never heard of.
Responsorial Psalm
All: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
Reader: I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad.
All: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
Reader: O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
All: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
Reader: Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
All: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
Reader: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him.
All: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
Second Reading
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be trials, or anguish, persecution, or hunger, lack of clothing, or dangers, or the sword?
No, through all of this, we are more than conquerors, thanks to him who loved us.
I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor cosmic powers—
whether from heaven or the depths below—nor any creature whatsoever will separate us from the love of God, which we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Happy those who stand firm when trials come; they have proved themselves and will win the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Peter spoke up and said:
“We have given up everything to follow you.”
Jesus answered:
“Truly, there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,
who will not receive his reward. I say to you: even in the midst of persecution, he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time; and, in the world to come, eternal life.
Many who now are the first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Let us pray to Jesus our Lord, who teaches people the true wisdom of compassion and love. Let us say: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– Lord Jesus, teach the wise and the learned to become little and humble, that you may reveal to them the Father’s love, we pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For those who have to carry heavy burdens, let them know the gentle yoke of the Gospel, that they may understand the love of the Father, we pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For those responsible for the welfare of nations, teach them to forsake wars and seek peace in justice, that they may come to know the love of the Father, we pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For those who choose to serve the poorest, let them not get discouraged, that they may experience the love of the Father, we pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For all of us in our Christian communities, let us find in the prayers and the bread we share the peace you have promised, we pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, it is good to be with you here. Listen to us, for you know us and you want us to be happy. You are our Lord for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God, look with favour and accept our offerings on this feast of the Chinese martyrs. Through this sacrifice, they received the courage to witness to their faith. Count us worthy to receive this same grace from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Preface
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. Your holy martyrs of China followed the example of Christ, and gave their lives for the glory of your name. Their death reveals your power shining through our human weakness. You choose the weak and make them strong in bearing witness to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise your glory for ever:
Holy, holy, holy Lord . . .
Prayer after Communion
Merciful Lord, you give us this sacrament of communion, to have a share with all the saints in Christ. Help us, through the intercession of the Chinese martyrs, to grow in our faith, that we too may become witnesses as disciples of Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Solemn Blessing
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant/Deacon: Bow your heads to receive the Lord’s blessing.
Celebrant: The Lord God has given us this special day to rejoice together with the martyrs of China. May he bless you and protect you through their intercession.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May the Lord help you to become one Body, and live out your mission by following the example of the martyrs.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May the risen Lord inspire you with his Word, and nourish you with his Sacraments, that you may always be able to witness to the Gospel.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Celebrant/Deacon: The Mass is ended, let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Amen.