Saint Jean-Louis Bonnard
Paris Foreign Missions priest beheaded in Tonkin in 1852
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Martyr, Priest, Missionary
- Life
- 1824 – 1852
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 24 November
- Countries
- France, Vietnam
Life story
He was born on 1 March 1824 in the diocese of Lyon, France. He completed his secondary studies at Saint-Jodard and then entered the seminary of Lyon. At the age of 22 he left Lyon to study theology at the Seminary of the Paris Foreign Missions, in order to serve in mission lands.
He reached western Tonkin (northern Vietnam) in May 1850. In 1851 he was put in charge of two parishes, at a time when preaching Christianity was forbidden.
On 21 March 1852 he was arrested and taken to Nam Định. He was sentenced to death and executed on 1 May 1852, after Emperor Tự Đức confirmed the sentence; he was beheaded, though another source gives the date as 30 April. His body was thrown into the Red River, then recovered by Christians and taken to Vinh Tri for a solemn funeral. He was 28. Pope John Paul II canonised him on 19 June 1988 among the Martyrs of Vietnam, who share a common feast on 24 November.
Works and witness
- Left the Lyon seminary to join the Paris Foreign Missions
- Reached western Tonkin in May 1850
- Took charge of two parishes in 1851 while preaching was banned
- Arrested on 21 March 1852 and beheaded on 1 May 1852
- Canonised on 19 June 1988
Saints from the same country
References
- IRFA, "0583 - BONNARD Jean-Louis" (irfa.paris)
- Missions Étrangères de Paris, "Saint Jean-Louis Bonnard" (missionsetrangeres.com)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.