1861 - John Baptist Luo Tingyin

July 29, 1861

Yaojiaguan, Guizhou

John Baptist Luo Tingyin. [CRBC]

Luo Tingyin was born into a wealthy family in 1825. They lived at Qingyian, near the city of Guiyang in Guizhou Province. After a well-rounded education Luo opened a small medical clinic, where he treated patients and dispensed medicine, much to the appreciation of the people in the community.

One day Luo visited Shitouzhai, and while he was there he heard a Catholic street preacher sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luo was transfixed; the words seemed to burn in his heart and soul. He decided to become a Christian and was baptized soon after. At his baptism he took the name John Baptist. Luo was by this time married with two sons. Although his conversion had been swift, it was certainly not shallow. One account says, “His zeal brought not only his wife, but also his parents and the whole household to believe in God. Then, continuing to rely on God’s grace he was able to bring many people to the faith.”[1]

Some time later Luo gave up his medical practice and moved his family to a farm near Yaojiaguan, where he helped build the new seminary. After classes commenced Luo farmed the land to produce enough food for the students and staff. His upright and professional conduct resulted in the Rector of the seminary, a man named Bai, to entrust Luo with all the financial affairs of the school.

In 1861 some corrupt local officials arrested Luo along with several other believers. While they were being held in a damp, dingy temple Luo’s wife visited and pleaded with Luo to return home and take care of her and their children. Luo knew the only way to get his freedom was to deny Christ, which he could never do. Instead, he “insisted on her remaining firm in her commitment to the Lord and caring for their two sons.”[2]

On the way to the execution ground John Baptist Luo Tingyin and the three other captives were paraded through the streets of the town. All four “showed on their faces the peace and joy that rose from the courage to die for their faith, as they prayed up to the last minute before entering the glory of martyrdom.”[3] John Baptist Luo Tingyin’s life was snuffed out at the age of 36.

1. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 18.
2. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 19.
3. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 19.