Augustine Zhao Rong
Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese Catholic priest who was martyred in 1815. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000, as one of the 120 Martyrs of China.
Life
He was born in 1746 in Wuchuan county of Guizhou. He joined the imperial army of the Qing dynasty when he was 20.During the anti-Christian persecutions in the 18th century, he was at one point put in charge of guarding Christian prisoners. In particular, in 1785, he guarded Father Gabriel-Taurin Dufresse when the latter was under arrest and being taken to Beijing. Zhao Rong was converted through his contact with Father Gabriel. When Father Gabriel was later released from prison, he baptized Zhao Rong, who received the name 'Augustine'.
Augustine wanted to become a priest himself and received training to become a priest. He was ordained only five years after his baptism by, Apostolic Vicar of Szechwan. Augustine worked as a priest and was known for bringing many people to convert. He was sent to work in Yunnan.
During the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor a new wave of persecution occurred against Christians in China. Augustine was arrested, tortured and ordered to renounce his faith. Augustine refused and he died in prison from beatings in the winter of 1815.