Clet, François-Régis, Martyr, Blessed

CLET, FRANÇOIS-RÉGIS, martyr, blessed. - Born at Grenoble on 19 Aug. 1748. As a boy he distinguished himself by innocence, piety, and great love of study; his fellow students would later call him a “living library.” On 6 March 1769 he entered the Congregation of the Mission in Paris. Ordained priest on 27 March 1773, he was sent to the major seminary of Annecy, where he remained for 15 years, teaching moral theology. In May 1788 he was appointed director of the internal seminary (or novitiate) of the motherhouse. Three years later his former vow to devote himself to the foreign missions was accepted, and he departed for China (10 Apr. 1791). For thirty years he laboured tirelessly and with much fruit in the provinces of Kiang-Si, Hu-Kwang, Hupeh, and Honan. He promoted with particular zeal the baptism of dying children. Twice (in 1805 and 1811) he miraculously escaped persecution. When the struggle against Christians flared up more fiercely, he was captured through betrayal on 16 June 1819. After courageously confessing the faith, on 17 Feb. 1820 he crowned the labours of his long apostolate with martyrdom. Leo XIII proclaimed him blessed on 27 May 1900. His feast is celebrated on 17 Feb.

Annibale Bugnini