1881 - Jean-Baptist Aubry

September 19, 1881

Xilin, Guangxi

The Aubry household of Ourscamp, France, resounded with shouts of joy on October 5, 1844, when a baby boy was born. They named him Jean-Baptist Denis. After studying at the seminary of Beauvais, Aubry travelled to Rome where he undertook advanced theological studies. One day as he read the accounts of many Catholic missionaries who had suffered martyrdom down through the ages, he declared,

“When I read these accounts that this person had died in that place, and that person had been martyred, I thought to myself, ‘Alas! It will never happen to me!’ But now, the chance of martyrdom has become more real, and if it knocks on my door I pray my spirit will be ready, even while part of me hopes such a day will never arrive.”[1]

Aubry was ordained a priest on October 4, 1868—the day before his 24th birthday. For several years he served as director of the seminary that he had attended at Beauvais. He did his job well, but an inner discomfort gnawed away at him, for in his heart Aubry knew God was calling him to a life of missionary service. In 1874 he commenced training, but due to the high level of education he had already obtained he was allowed to skip many courses that the other missionary candidates were obliged to take. Less than a year later, on September 23, 1875, Jean-Baptist Aubry departed France for south China’s Guizhou Province. After months of strenuous travel, he finally arrived at the bustling town of Zunyi, where

“Aubry was appointed to direct this difficult station. There, the new missionary was characterized by his godly endeavours, his zeal, energy, and devotion to God. He possessed a frankness and knowledge that caused him to be highly regarded by his fellow missionaries and loved by the Christians under his care. God blessed his work, and at the time when death struck, the number of Aubry’s converts numbered more than 2,000.”[2]

A storm of persecution suddenly broke over the mission in June 1881:

“The heathens massacred eleven Christians, and plundered and burned the mission. Aubry miraculously escaped death after he was overpowered by the angry mobs that attacked the mission. He later wrote, ‘I was driven out, insulted, and stoned (There were perhaps 300 stones thrown at me, but only a few struck me in the face). I had the honour to pour out a little of my blood for the faith. Finally I was led out of the city to be killed, but somehow I managed to slip away from my persecutors. I do not regret having escaped. I hope that one day I will be able to testify of our true faith with my blood in a more complete way.”[3]

After recovering from the incident Aubry travelled to Xinyi in Guangxi, where the local magistrate had him and a colleague arrested. After being forced to march over the mountains all night the exertions had taken their toll on the Frenchman. For the next few days he battled a strong fever, falling in and out of consciousness. On September 19, 1881, the other Catholic workers at Xinyi requested medical help for their beloved co-worker, but it was too late. He died before the doctor could arrive. Jean-Baptist Aubry was 36 when he gained a martyr’s crown.

1. My translation of the Jean-Baptist Aubry Obituary in the Archives des Missions Etrangères de Paris, China Biographies and Obituaries, 1800-1899.
2. Jean-Baptist Aubry Obituary in the Archives des Missions Etrangères de Paris.
3. Jean-Baptist Aubry Obituary in the Archives des Missions Etrangères de Paris.