Immaculate Conception Church

Saint Augustine Zhao Rong & 120 Companions – July 9 – By Deacon Joseph Jong
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Young Zhao Rong who conducted a debauched life, never thought he would be converted to be a Christian during his soldier’s duty of transporting a French Bishop Gabriel-Taurin Dufresse to be martyred. The conversion started with the impression of kindness, peaceful demeanor & love from Bishop Dufresse. Kindness and love are immutable.
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As a priest in the prison, Augustine Zhao Rong refused the opportunity to be freed by denouncing his Christian faith. Like many other martyrs, once knowing Christ’s truth & love, they never give up their faith. God’s truth & love are unchallengeable.
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In the time between 1648 and 1930, there were tens of thousands of martyrs in China including foreign ministers, Chinese-born clergies and lay people; St. Augustine Zhao Rong was the first Chinese-born priest being martyred. 120 Companions is merely a representative number.
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These martyrs in China are like a roaring lion proclaiming the Gospel, spreading the faith seeds in the land, presenting God’s truth and love to the eyes of the world.
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Saint Augustine Zhao and companions, pray for us!
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*Deacon Joseph Jong serves as a permanent deacon at Saint Mary Cathedral in Lansing.

On June 22, the feast of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More, we honor two English martyrs who chose fidelity to Christ and His Church over worldly power. Their courage, scholarship, and witness remain an inspiration today. St. John Fisher, pray for us! St. Thomas More, pray for us!

Deacon Ryan Ferrigan says his impending ordination is “still sinking in.” Inspired to be an alter Christus — “another Christ” — he looks forward most to celebrating Mass and bringing the sacraments to God’s people in a life of faithful service to Christ and the Church.