The persecution of the Boxers and the Virgin Mary (1900)

Historia mariana china

The Boxers Rebellion (1899- 1901) was one of the most violent persecutions of the Catholic Church in China. The nationalist and xenophobic uprising of the "Society of the Fair and Harmony Fists" (-) cost the lives of thousands of Chinese Catholics and many foreign missionaries. Devotion to the Virgin Mary was a key factor of survival for many faithful.

The context of the rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion was the result of a complex of factors: resentment against foreign powers that had imposed unequal treaties, the economic and social crisis of the end of the Qing dynasty, and the support of conservative sectors of the imperial court. The Boxers, a secret society of martial arts, channeled popular anger against foreigners and Christians.

The rebellion spread in northern China, especially in the provinces of Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi and Henan. The Boxers attacked Christian missions, churches and communities, killing thousands of faithful and missionaries.

The role of the Virgin Mary during the persecution

During the Boxers Rebellion, devotion to the Virgin Mary was a key survival factor for many Chinese Catholics. The faithful entrusted themselves to the Virgin Mary, praying the rosary and bearing the Miraculous Medal as a sign of protection.

In Donglü, Hebei, the Virgin Mary appeared according to tradition during the Boxer attack. The apparition of the Virgin with a fire rider (identified as San Miguel Archangel) dispersed the attackers and saved the Catholic community. This apparition, known as the Apparition of Donglü, was approved by the Church and gave rise to the advocation of Our Lady of China.

The martyrs of persecution

The Boxer Rebellion produced numerous martyrs. In Shanxi province, Governor Yuxian ordered the execution of all Christians within his jurisdiction. On a single day, on July 9, 1900, two bishops, seven priests, seven religious and numerous lay people were killed in Taiyuan.

Among the most well-known martyrs are the bishops Gregorio Grassi and Francisco Fogolla, the priests Elías Facchini and Teodoro Balat, and the religious Mary of San Justo and Mary Adolfa. They were all canonized by St. John Paul II in 2000.

The devotion to Our Lady of Donglü

After the Boxers' Rebellion, devotion to Our Lady of Donglü spread throughout China. The image of the Virgin with the Child Jesus in Chinese imperial clothing became the symbol of the Chinese Catholic faith and the protection of the Virgin Mary in times of persecution.

In 1924, Donglü became a place of national pilgrimage. In 1928, Pope Pius XI officially approved the image of Our Lady of China. In 1941, Pope Pius XII set up the feast of Our Lady of China, which is held on the second Sunday of May.

The inheritance of persecution

The Boxer Rebellion left a deep mark on the Church of China. The persecution strengthened the faith of the survivors and created a culture of martyrdom that has marked Chinese Catholic spirituality to this day. The devotion to the Virgin Mary, especially Our Lady of China, became the center of the spiritual life of Chinese Catholics.