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Saint Lucy Yi Zhenmei

Sichuan catechist beheaded in Guizhou in 1862 a day after Father Néel's execution

Rank
Saint
Kind
Martyr, Layperson, Virgin
Life
1815 – 1862
Era
19th century
Feast
19 February
Countries
China
China

Life story

Lucy Yi Zhenmei was born around 1815 at Mianyang in Sichuan, the youngest of her family. Her father died and she lived with her mother and brother; her mother taught her to spin. She loved reading and study, and from the age of twelve she committed herself to chastity. At twenty she fell seriously ill.

In her spare time she taught children the catechism. A priest at Mianyang asked her to teach at the local school; at Chongqing, where her brother practised medicine, another priest asked her to teach the women of the parish, and she refused payment. She later stayed in a house of lay virgins in Guizhou, but poor health forced her back home. In 1861 she was invited to teach there again, and she returned despite her relatives' opposition.

In 1862 she went with Father Jean-Pierre Néel to open a mission at Jiashanlong. According to one account, a local official stirred up hatred against Christians; Father Néel and three other men were imprisoned and sentenced to death without a proper trial. On 18 February 1862 she met them on the road to execution, was arrested and tried the same day, and was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her faith. She was beheaded on 19 February 1862; the Holy See's list gives 18 or 19 February. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized on 1 October 2000.

Works and witness

  • Committed herself to chastity at twelve
  • Taught catechism to children and women at Mianyang and Chongqing, refusing payment
  • Went with Father Jean-Pierre Néel to found a mission in 1862
  • Beheaded on 19 February 1862 for refusing to renounce her faith
  • Canonized on 1 October 2000

Saints from the same country

The 120 Martyrs of China, Saint Anna Wang, Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang, Saint Agatha Lin

References

  • Holy See, list of the Martyrs of China canonized 1 October 2000 (vatican.va, ns_lit_doc_20001001_zhao-rong-compagni_en), entry 'Lucy Yi Zhenmei' – lay catechist, one of the Martyrs of Guizhou, killed 18 or 19 February 1862
  • Episcopal lesser feast page (kccathedral.org) – born 9 December 1815 in Sichuan, beheaded 19 February 1862
  • Asia Harvest, “1862 – Lucy Yi Zhenmei”, and Wikipedia – the five Guizhou martyrs, Jiashanlong; seen via search excerpts

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.