Saint Auguste Chapdelaine

Biography

Saint Auguste Chapdelaine, also known as Augustus Chapdelaine, Father Ma, or Papa Chapdelaine, was born on 6 January 1814 in La Rochelle-Normande, France. He was the youngest of nine children born to Nicolas Chapdelaine and Madeleine Dodeman. Auguste dropped out of school to work on the family farm, but he felt a strong calling to become a priest from a young age. Despite his desire to pursue his vocation, his family opposed it, as they needed his help on the farm. However, the tragic deaths of two of his brothers brought a change of heart from his family. They realized the importance of allowing Auguste to follow his life's calling, and they finally gave their approval. Auguste entered the minor seminary at Mortain on 1 October 1834. At the seminary, he studied alongside boys half his age, earning him the nickname "Papa Chapdelaine," which stuck with him for the rest of his life. He was ordained on 10 June 1843 at the age of 29. Initially serving as an associate pastor from 1844 to 1851, Auguste later obtained permission from his bishop to enter the foreign missions. Although he was two years past the age limit set by the French Foreign Missions, his zeal for spreading the Gospel convinced them to grant him acceptance. Before embarking on his missionary assignment in China, Auguste made sure to say a final Mass, bury his sister, and bid farewell to his family, forewarning them that they would not see him again. On 30 April 1852, he left Paris, France, and arrived in Singapore on 5 September of the same year. Unfortunately, Auguste faced hardships on his way to his missionary assignment. He was robbed by bandits, losing all his belongings, which forced him to regroup and resume his journey. Eventually, in 1854, he reached the Kwang-si province in China. However, his efforts to spread Catholicism and convert locals were met with opposition and led to his arrest in Su-Lik-Hien just ten days later. Though he spent a few weeks in prison during his initial arrest, Auguste was released and resumed his ministry, converting hundreds of individuals over the next two years. However, on 26 February 1856, during a government crackdown on Christianity, he was arrested again. Auguste was then returned to Su-Lik-Hien and sentenced to death for his missionary work. On 29 February 1856, Saint Auguste Chapdelaine, along with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and Saint Agnes Tsau Kouy, was beheaded in Su-Lik-Hien, Kwang-Si province, China. He is honored as one of the Martyrs of China. Saint Auguste Chapdelaine's martyrdom was officially recognized by Pope Leo XIII on 2 July 1899. On 27 May 1900, Pope Leo XIII beatified him, and finally, on 1 October 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint. Although no specific patronage is attributed to Saint Auguste Chapdelaine, his life and martyrdom serve as an inspiration to all who strive to follow their calling and spread the message of Christ's love, particularly in challenging circumstances.