I have been carefully trawling through the Martyrology recently—well, the night life scene in the Valle Adurni isn't exactly hopping—and, in the entry for 7th July have come across one Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang. He lived in a town that the Martyrology optimistically renders as Ueihœivénse in the Hebei province of China and, though Catholic, he was prohibited from the sacraments for thirty years on account of his unbreakable addiction to opium. He perished with many others in 1900 as a result of the Boxer rebellion; given a chance to renounce his faith and live, he refused and was duly martyred. Having been excluded from the table of the Lord on earth, the Martyrology points out, he was thus found worthy of the eternal banquet.
Saint Mark Ji, pray for all those who are held in the bonds of addiction.
3 comments:
Thank you. What great encouragement this example provides.
I pray for all with addictions. People are suffering. You have everything you want in the USA but true love of each other.
I pray for all who are addicted and Jesus knows we are his.
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