The Church celebrates the lives of 120 Chinese martyrs each year on July 9, looking to them for inspiration.
St. John Paul II canonized this large group of saints on October 1, 2000, recalling their extraordinary witness to Christ.
Anna was killed on July 22, 1900. Chi was also killed in the year 1900.
These martyrs represent many Christians who were killed over a period of several centuries, not on the same day. Their deaths occurred between 1648 and 1930.
St. John Paul II pointed out how these Chinese saints can inspire all of us, especially all Christians courageously living out their faith in China.
The example of these Chinese martyrs can inspire us to live our faith with great joy and fidelity, never yielding to outside forces that seek to extinguish our Christianity. They are also a reminder to pray for all of our brothers and sisters suffering persecution.
