PEDRINI, TEODORICO. - Missionary of St. Vincent de Paul, b. at Fermo on 30 June 1670, d. at Peking on 10 Dec. 1746. He entered the Congregation of the Mission in Rome on 24 Feb. 1698; doctor in utroque, he was ordained priest in 1701.
On 26 Dec. 1703 he set out for China. Being an excellent musician and a skilled builder of organs and other musical instruments, Clement XI ordered him to establish himself at the Emperor’s court, the latter being passionate about this art. After an adventurous journey lasting seven years, he finally arrived, by way of America and the Philippines, in Peking on 30 Jan. 1710. But because of court jealousies and intrigues, after some years of favour and beneficial influence he fell into disfavour with the prince, as a result of which he had to endure much brutality and imprisonment on several occasions. In his last years he devoted himself entirely to apostolic work, built a large missionary college, and splendidly organized religious life. Thus the P. laid the new foundations that made possible the remarkable development of missionary works in the following years.
PEDRINI, GIOVANNI, called GIAMPIETRINO - Nativity - Richmond, Cook Gallery.