St. Auguste 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.
Despite feeling a calling to the priesthood from a young age, he had to drop out of school to work on the family farm. Auguste eventually entered the minor seminary at Mortain in 1834, studying with boys half his age, which earned him the nickname "Papa Chapdelaine."
He was ordained on 10 June 1843 and served as an associate pastor in Boucey, France, from 1844 to 1851. Despite opposition from his family, he obtained permission from his bishop to enter the foreign missions and was accepted by the French Foreign Missions.
He landed in Singapore on 5 September 1852. He was robbed and lost everything he had. Chapdelaine went to the Chinese interior to preach the Gospel. He spent two years there ministering to the locals, converting hundreds.
In 1856, in a government crackdown during the Taiping Rebellion, he was arrested for his work and sentenced to death. He was flogged 150 times on the cheeks, received 300 lashes with a cane on his back, and was then placed in a custom-made cage. Despite being offered a chance to spare his life, he was beheaded on February 29, 1856.
St. Auguste Chapdelaine dedicated his life to serving others and sharing his faith. He is remembered as a courageous and selfless missionary who gave his life for his beliefs.
On October 1, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II canonized several Chinese martyrs, including St. Auguste. It is notable that this date coincided with the anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Oswald of Worcester
2. Saint Romanus of Condat
3. Saint Ruellinus of Treguier
4. Saint Caerealis
5. Saint Marana of Beroea