s
you know, the Holy Father canonized 120 Martyrs of China on Oct. 1, 2000.
Included among them is Blessed Fogolla, who befriended our Founder Bishop
Conforti in 1898 and preserve a special relationship with the small Xaverian
community of Parma. Fr. Fogolla
worked tirelessly for 30 years in China, finally shedding his blood for the
salvation of China. As a Chinese
Xaverian, I feel proud of this day and, more than others, I’m thankful for
this blessing from above. With some
help, here is a brief biographical sketch of Fr. Fogolla, a martyr and a saint.
It was Nov. 24, 1946 when Pope Pius XII beatified Bishop F. Fogolla, OFM, who was born at Mulazzo of Montereggio, in the Appennines, on Oct. 4, 1839. His father was Joachim and his mother was Elisabeth Ferrari. His baptismal name, Francis, was to honor that day’s feast, St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4). After his elementary studies at Pontremoli, he migrated to Parma, and was faithful to serving mass at the Church of the Annunciation. On Nov. 1, 1856, took the Franciscan habit in the seminary of Montiano, and studied in the seminary of Emilia Romagna. He was ordained on Oct. 4, 1863 as he celebrated his 24th birthday. Fr. Fogolla went to Palestine in 1866 and stayed a year to study in preparation of his mission assignment. He arrived in Taiyenfu, China on Nov. 2, 1868, under the guidance of Bishop Moccagatta.
Bishop Fogolla built the beautiful church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He learned Chinese very well, so much so that he could talked with the learned of the place, and deliver great homilies to the Christians.
Fr. Fogolla was admired by his Christian, for his own honesty. At the same time, his enemies considered him enemy #1. After 7 years of work, he was named Vicar General of the Diocese of Kunkanfu. It’s was a struggle, for too many people died of hunger both in cities and country side. Bishop Fogolla asked for help from Europe and sold everything precious he had: bronze statues, silverware, local Chinese gifts… anything to help provide some relief to the gravity of the situation. Following those years, Bishop Fogolla built the beautiful church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He learned Chinese very well, so much so that he could talked with the learned of the place, and deliver great homilies to the Christians.
He was asked to take part to the First Assembly of Bishop Delegates in 1880. And while he was Rector of the Seminary and Vicar General, he built an orphanage and a clinic. He often visited parishes.
Bishop
Fogolla went back to Italy for an International Show of Chinese Culture and Arts
in Turin in 1898. Because of his
preparation, this show was deemed a success, and was hosted in Rimini and other
Italian cities. Many specialist
praised the work of Bishop Fogolla. Honorary
guests of the International Chinese Show were King Umberto and Queen Margherita.
He took the occasion to call people to follow him to China.
He was, in fact, accompanied by 4 seminarians… who were canonized as
martyrs with him on Oct. 2002. In
this occasion, Bishop Fogolla approached a young priest by the name of Guido M.
Conforti who had just started the Xaverian Missionary congregation.
While in Paris, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop to Bishop Gregory
Grassi. Bishop Fogolla wanted to
bring the Chinese Seminarians to Lourdes, but that did not happen.
He returned triumphantly to China with a group of 9 priests
(Fr. Caio Rastelli, s.x. was among them), 5 seminarians (Odoardo Manini, s.x.
was a subdeacon), and 7 Franciscan Sisters of Mary.
Bishop Fogolla would have never imagined that only a year later the Boxer Rebellion begin with its ferocity against all Europeans, and missionaries in particular. It was the new Minister of the Province Yushien to declare his hatred against the Christian missionaries for spreading teachings contrary to China’s traditions. He hated all Christians and their belief in God.
The soldiers, according the orders from above, suddenly imprisoned the two bishops, 3 priests, 7 sisters, 7 seminarians, 10 lay mission helpers, and some widows. They also captured the Protestant Ministers and their families. They were guarded day and night.
On July 9 1900, all of the captives were brought to the town hall, made to kneel in front of the Province Minister Yushien, accompanied by lots of soldiers. The Minister was the self-proclaimed Judge. Yushien asked to Bishop Fogolla: “How long have you been in China, and how much harm have you done to my people?” The bishop quietly replied: “I have been here for 34 years and I have only done good to the Chinese people.” Yushien angrily replied: “You are lying, and I am going to kill you.” Bishop Fogolla said “It’s you who are lying, and you will have to respond to God!” With that reply, Yushien angrily stabbed Bishop Fogolla twice and then ordered his men: “Take them outside and kill them all.”
An enormous confusion followed. In the yard, the two bishops, the priests, sisters and lay people were massacred. Some were beheaded, some had their throats cut, and others were stabbed through the heart with a sword. In all, 26 martyrs died that day.
On January 1901, a new Province Minister took over, who proceeded to have a solemn funeral for all the martyrs of those days. As they were performing the solemn ritual, on a calm day, suddenly it started snowing. That was interpreted by the Province Minister as a sign of blessings from God, knowing that the martyrs were in the good hands of God.
(From Xaverian News)