Blessed
Blessed Johannes Laurentius Weiss
Franciscan priest and missionary, martyr at Gondar in Ethiopia, 1675-1716
Early life
Johannes Laurentius Weiss was born at Konnersreuth in Bavaria (Germany) on 4 January 1675, and entered the Order of Friars Minor in the convent of Graz, of the Austrian province of S. Bernardino, on 13 October 1698.[1] He was ordained a priest in Vienna on 14 September 1699.[1]
Mission
In 1703, when the Commissary General of the Order asked the provinces for missionaries suited for Ethiopia, requested by the king of that country, he offered himself at once and was accepted by Propaganda Fide.[1] Sent with seven other missionaries led by padre Giuseppe da Gerusalemme, he left Il Cairo on 14 January 1705; in June they reached Debba in Sudan, where soldiers in revolt against the king of Sennar blocked their way, and on 21 August 1705 they took refuge at Allefun.[1] They remained there until 31 March 1708, when the king, having defeated the rebels, called them to Sennar; only three of the eight remained, and after padre Giuseppe da Gerusalemme died in May 1709 the two survivors returned to Egypt on 30 June 1710, without having reached Ethiopia.[1] Propaganda Fide decided on another attempt by way of the Red Sea, and on 20 April 1711 charged him, as apostolic prefect, together with Michele Pio da Zerbo and Samuele Marzorati da Biumo of the Franciscan province of Milan, to undertake the new journey.[1] The group left Il Cairo on 3 November 1711 and reached Gondar, the capital of Ethiopia, on 20 July 1712, where the king received them well; but Europeans were unwelcome and the king Justos was strongly opposed, so the missionaries had to stay almost hidden.[1]
Death and recognition
Rumours spread about them and their religion, and the king sent them to another province, the Tigré; after their departure king Justos fell ill and his opponents crowned David, son of another king.[1] The missionaries were recalled to Gondar by the usurpers, tried and condemned to death in hatred of the faith, and on 3 March 1716 they were stoned in the Abbo square.[1] He was beatified on 20 November 1988 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
Follow the evidence
Sources and notes
- Liberat Weiss
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints · Italian
Accessed 2026-09-05
Editorial notes
Translated and condensed from the Dicastery's official Italian profile by an automated pass on 2026-09-09; identity matched on the death date and name; editorial review pending.
This is an AI-assisted draft prepared from the sources above. Its citations identify its evidence; they do not replace a historical review.
The inherited biography
The earlier biography for this record.
Read the inherited biography
Blessed Johannes Laurentius Weiss, also known as Liberat Weiss, was born on 4 January 1675 in Konnersreuth, Bavaria, Germany. He entered the Franciscan Order and took the name Liberat, becoming a dedicated priest and missionary. With a strong desire to spread the teachings of Christianity, he set off on a mission to Ethiopia.
In 1716, during his time in Ethiopia, Emperor Iyasu declared a persecution on Christians in the region. Father Liberat, unwavering in his faith, fearlessly continued his mission work despite the impending danger. However, his devotion to the faith would eventually lead to his martyrdom.
When Father Liberat was arrested, he was ordered to renounce his Christian beliefs, but he refused to submit to such demands. His unwavering commitment to his faith only fueled the anger of his captors. On 3 March 1716, in the city of Gondar, Ethiopia, Father Liberat was stoned to death by a mob.
Father Liberat's martyrdom stands as a testament to his deep faith and dedication to his mission. His refusal to renounce his beliefs, even in the face of persecution, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to God and the principles of the Catholic Church.
Recognizing his heroic virtue and sacrifice, Blessed Johannes Laurentius Weiss was venerated on 28 March 1988 by Pope John Paul II with a decree of martyrdom. Later, on 20 November 1988, Pope John Paul II beatified him, acknowledging his sanctity and including him as an example of faithfulness in the Franciscan tradition.
Although an elaborate biography of Blessed Johannes Laurentius Weiss is not available, his courageous actions and ultimate sacrifice speak volumes about his character and commitment to his faith. He serves as an inspiration to all who seek to uphold their beliefs even in the face of adversity.
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