St. Mark Ji Tianxiang

 I am so excited to tell you about today's Saint for the letter 'M.' This Saint has a lot to teach us about perseverance and hope in the midst of despair and unanswered prayers. His name is St. Mark Ji Tianxiang. 

Mark Ji was born in 1834 in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern  Zhili, China. He was raised in a Christian family and grew up to become a physician. He was a respected member of his community. As a doctor, he served the poor for free. However, in his 30's, he was afflicted with a severe stomach ailment. He treated himself with opium, which was a common remedy for pain, but was also highly addictive. 

Mark Ji soon became addicted. In the 19th century, addiction was not understood to be a disease as it is today. Opium addicts were scorned and addiction was considered to be a weakness of character. Mark Ji continued to fight his addiction and frequently went to confession. However, since he continued to confess the same sin, the priest thought that that was evidence that there was no firm purpose of amendment - no desire to do better. Without the resolve to repent and sin no more, confession is invalid. After a few years, the priest told Mark Ji not to return until he could meet the requirements for confession. 

For most people, this would have been a real challenge to their faith and probably a death knell for their relationship with the Church. But Mark Ji knew himself to be loved by the Father. He could not overcome his addiction, but he could keep showing up. And show up he did - for 30 years. For 30 years, he was unable to receive the sacraments and for 30 years he prayed to become a martyr because he felt that was his only path to heaven. It seemed to him that he could only be saved through a martyr's crown. 

The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-imperialist, anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising that took place in China from 1899-1901. As the rebels turned against Christians, both native Chinese and foreign missionaries, Mark Ji got his prayer for martyrdom answered. He was rounded up with other dozens of other Christians, including his son, six grandchildren and two daughters-in-law. During his trial, Mark Ji was given the opportunity to apostatize, but he stood firm in his faith. He was lead to his execution, along with other members of his family, on July 7, 1900. He asked his captors to kill him last so that none of his family would have to die alone. This was granted and as he waited for his own death he sang the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Mark Ji's feast day is July 7 and he is the patron saint for all who struggle with addiction.