1865 - François Mabileau

Augiust 29, 1865

Youyang, Chongqing

François Mabileau was born at Paimbœuf, France, on March 1, 1829. Growing up a devout Catholic, Mabileau decided to pursue a life of service to God and his fellow man, and so entered the seminary at Nantes. After completing a course in theology, he accepted a job as a college professor for one year, before being ordained into the Catholic priesthood just before Christmas, 1856.

When the Missions Etrangères de Paris recommenced classes for the year on January 15, 1857, Mabileau was among the new students in training for a life on the mission field. After a year’s study he was appointed to join the mission in Eastern Sichuan Province (now Chongqing) in China. He left for the Orient on March 21, 1859, and between 1859 and 1863 was in charge of the mission in Yongchuan County. The work was just starting to see positive results, with pockets of new believers in different locations, when a severe persecution devastated several of the mission bases.

Other outbreaks of violence against the Christians were perpetrated at Youyang. Mabileau was sent there to investigate and help the believers. He had been there less than a month when at ten o’clock in the evening of August 29, 1865,

“a mob descended on Mabileau’s residence. One man smashed the door open, another seized the missionary, while yet another insulted and beat the priest. He was dragged down to the river and plunged under the water on several occasions. Still alive, the evil men lead him back into the city where new blows were struck to the top of his head. The local magistrate was informed of the incident as soon as it commenced, but he remained in his house and refused to help.”[1]

François Mabileau was just 36 at the time. His death marked the start of fresh persecution that resulted in the deaths of many Chinese Christians.

1. My translation of the Biographical Note of François Mabileau in the Archives des Missions Etrangères de Paris, China Biographies and Obituaries, 1800-1899.