Profile
Peter was born to a non-Christian family. He was known from his youth for his sense of justice, his quick defense of the poor and oppressed; his outspoken nature actually frightened people in his traditionalist region. A husband and self-made businessman, he owned and ran a large hotel. He was one of the first converts made by missionaries to his area. Naturally enthusiastic, Peter tossed out his household idols, and preached Christianity to anyone who came by. Lay leader of the converts in his district, he took the name Peter at baptism. He worked as a catechist for missionaries in Sichuan and instructed 600 people in Christianity. He was arrested on 3 April 1814 during a violent backlash against the faith. Imprisoned and tortured to break him from his faith, he worked to inspire the faith in his fellow prisoners, and led prayer services in the cells. He was condemned to death for refusing to step on a crucifix. He was one of the Martyrs of China.
Born
- 1768 at Longping in Guizhou Province, China
Died
- strangled to death on 7 November 1814 at Tsen-y-Fou, Su-Tchuen province, China
Beatified
- 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized
- 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-ou/
