St. Jean-Gabriel Perboyre

John Gabriel Perboyre (1802 – 11 September 1840), was a French Vincentian priest known for his missionary work in China during the 19th century. He entered the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and was ordained a priest in 1835. Perboyre’s strong commitment to his faith led him to volunteer for the dangerous missionary work in China, where he faced persecution and challenges due to the hostility towards Christianity. Despite the risks, he continued his evangelization efforts and ministered to the local people. In 1839, he was arrested, tortured, and ultimately executed for refusing to renounce his faith. Saint John Gabriel Perboyre’s martyrdom and steadfastness in the face of adversity earned him recognition as a saint. He was canonized in 1996 and is venerated as a model of faith, courage, and dedication to spreading the Gospel.