1870 - Marie-Thérèse Marquet

June 21, 1870

Tianjin

Marie-Thérèse Marquet was born into a devout Catholic family at Montmaken, Belgium, on November 17, 1824. From the time she was a little girl, Marie-Thérèse showed inner qualities of humility and piety. Her parents placed her in a convent to complete her education. There she decided to turn her back on the allures of the world and devote herself wholeheartedly to the service of Jesus Christ. Her father loved Marie-Thérèse very deeply, but after a struggle he surrendered to God’s will and allowed her to commence life as a nun with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Marie-Thérèse was just 18 years-old. It was said of the young disciple,

“At that age most young girls only give hopes of future good qualities; but Marie-Thérèse seemed to have already arrived at maturity. A prudence beyond her years, a virginal modesty and the kindness and courtesy she showed towards everyone gained for her not only the affection of her companions, but the confidence and esteem of her Superiors.”[1]

After years working in a hospital in her homeland, Marie-Thérèse felt that it was not the fulfilment of her call in God, but just a training ground for a greater work. Many friends and colleagues were surprised when Marie-Thérèse announced that she was pursuing a missionary vocation. After being appointed to join a mission in Beijing, the faithful Belgian nun experienced a time of inward struggle. Only through prayer and submission to God’s will did she regain her peace and gain strength for the ministry ahead. Before leaving Europe she told a priest, “It is very probable that I shall die in China.” To a nun she said, “Who knows whether we are not all going to martyrdom?”[2]

Marie-Thérèse Marquet arrived in China in 1862, now 37-years-old. Right from the start she loved China. She progressed well in learning the language and seemed to be well liked by the people. She wrote home, “God is better to me in China than at Verviers.” After five years in Beijing, where there was little to do in the mission, Marie-Thérèse was transferred to Tianjin to replace the Sister Superior, who had been sent to another place. Tianjin was to be her home for the remaining two years of her life.

On June 21, 1870, when a frenzied mob approached the convent baying for blood, Marie-Thérèse Marquet arose from her knees and went out to speak to the mob leader.

“He hesitated for a moment, paused as if in doubt when he saw the little figure coming towards him, who said gently: ‘What do you want with us? We only try to do all the good we can to your poor and sick. If you wish for our lives, take them. We are ready to die, but spare the children!’ A swift sabre cut on cornette and head was the only reply. While this was taking place, the other Sisters came out of the chapel by front and side doors, while two of them remained with the orphans in the crypt. All were killed almost simultaneously; some by lance thrusts, some by knives, and others by blows of axes…. At three o’clock on that June day, all was over in the little convent at Tianjin.”[3]

Marquet was killed on the spot, and then her hands and feet were cut off. She was 45-years-old.

1. Herbert, The First Martyrs of the Holy Childhood, 2.
2. Herbert, The First Martyrs of the Holy Childhood, 3.
3. Maynooth Mission, Heralds of the Orient, 112-113.