Saint Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier during one of the many times in Chinese history that Catholics were persecuted. Saint Augustine was ordered to escort a French bishop to his death sentence in Beijing. During the journey, Saint Augustine Zhao Rong admired the bishop’s behavior and listened to what he had to say. Saint Augustine Zhao Rong asked to be baptized and eventually risked his life to become a Catholic priest, changing his name to Augustine.
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong was eventually arrested. He was asked to deny his Catholic faith in exchange for freedom, but he refused. As a result, he was forced to suffer great physical punishments at the hands of the Chinese, and died a martyr for Christ. In the year 2000, Saint Augustine Zhao Rong was canonized by Pope John Paul II, along with 119 other Chinese martyrs who had died for the Faith throughout the years.
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong is a patron saint of China. This heroic saint is a wonderful role model for those who need courage to stand up for Christ. Saint Augustine Zhao Rong found the faith by being a good listener. Let us ask him to help us hear God’s word in our lives.