Martyrs of Shanxi
Women Religious, Servants of the Poor, Martyrs

In 1898 Bishop Francisco Fogella, a missionary bishop in China, went to see the superior of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.  He wanted women religious to travel to the distant land of China to help care for the sick and the abandoned. 

Seven sisters were sent on the long and difficult trip.  The sisters ages ranged from 24-36.The sisters arrived in Taiyuan in Shanxi Province to care for 200 orphan girls, the sick and the poor. Every day 12-15 orphaned or abandoned children were brought to the orphanage. Many of the children were so sock that they died shortly after arriving.  The sisters immediately improved the hygiene at the orphanage and gradually the orphans overall health improved. 

In the midst of their hard work, a new governor was appointed and a persecution of Christians began. Bishop Fogolla, realizing the imminent danger, gave the Sisters permission to leave the mission and go to a safer location; but no one wanted to go.

On June 29,1900 , the children and Chinese laywomen were removed by force from the mission.  On July 5, thirty-three persons including the two bishops and the seven religious were taken to a house that was used as a prison.  The group spent the next days together praying. They were able to celebrate Mass every day.

On July 9th, one of the bishops gave everyone absolution.  Soldiers entered the house and beat the prisoners.  They tied the prisoners hands and pushed them outside.  As they made their way through the streets, the Sisters began singing the 'Te "Deum", a hymn of praise to God.  The governor asked them to deny their faith.  After refusing, they were slashed by the guards with swords.  They died on July 9, 1900 and were canonized on October 1, 2000.

For more information contact www.fmmusa.org

or read

"Heroic Catholic of the Twentieth Century by Sister Elizabeth Ann Barkett, SJW
A New Hope publication
New Hope, KY
or
Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker
Walton Ky