Saint Alberic Crescitelli
Priest, Missionary, Martyr

Alberic Crescitelli was born in the village of Altavilla in Southern Italy on June 30, 1863. He was the fourth of eleven children.  He spent much of his time working on the family farm.  At the age of 12, he entered the seminary.  After his studies, he was ordained in 1887 at the PIME seminary in Rome. 

Founded in 1850, the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions(PIME) still sends missionaries to many lands where the gospel is not well known.  Much to his delight, Alberic was sent to the mission in China.  The year after his ordination, he made the difficult four-month journey and arrived there in August of 1888.

He immediately began to learn the language and adopt the clothing of the native people.  Unfortunately, he found it too difficult to grow the traditional pigtail.  He hair was too curly but he was also beginning to go bald.  So he solved the problem by wearing a cap with a false pigtail attached.

Father Alberic was working  in an ancient land with ancient traditions.  The traditions were being threatened and exploited by European powers. Political  attempts by Chinese leaders to deal with the problems between China and Europe and to modernize the country were brought to a halt in 1898 when a group of conservative politicians gained control and convinced the Empress of China that there could be no compromise with foreign powers.  The "Boxers" were a secret society that began a campaign to rid china of all foreigners, including missionaries and those who supported them.

Father Alberic first assignment was to an area where there were 1,000 Christians spread out over 7 villages. He traveled a great deal and slept wherever he could find hospitality.  His farming skills proved to be useful. He was able to advise Chinese farmers on ways to improve the crops. He also brought small plats of land to give to the poor so they could grow their own food.

In 1900, he was transferred to another province which was experiencing a famine. He also had to deal with the growing threat from the Boxers.  On July 5, the Boxers received imperial support. This gave them the chance to launch what became known as the Boxer Rebellion.

Father Alberic  had planned to stay with his people during this persecution, but by July 20th  he realized that his presence only made conditions worse for the Christian community.  A customs official insisted that the priest spend the night at his house, assuring him that it would be safe.

The official had set a trap and soon the house was surrounded by a screaming mob.  Knowing that it was impossible to escape, Father Alberic went outside to face the mob.  He was beaten until unconscious and then carried to the center of the village.  Throughout the night he was tortured by his captors.  In the morning he was beheaded and his body was cast into a river. He was 37 years old.

Even today in China, Christians still gathers at the river of his martyrdom and pray to this courageous missionary.  St. Alberic was canonized on October 1, 2000.

For more information contact
PIME Missionaries
17330 Quincy St
Detroit, MI 48221

or
"Heroic Catholics of the Twentieth Century"
By Sister Elizabeth Ann Barkett,SJW
New Hope publications
New Hope, Ky

or
Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker
ssjw.org