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Feast Day: September 27
Birth: September 19, 1734
Death: September 27, 1794
Blessed Jeanbaptiste Laborie Du Vivier, also known as Jean Baptiste Laborie or Jean Baptiste du Vivier, was born on September 19, 1734, in Ma√ßon, Saåne-et-Loire, France. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and developed a deep faith from an early age. Jeanbaptiste answered God's call to serve and entered the priesthood in the Diocese of Ma√ßon. He dedicated his life to the service of God and the Church, ministering to the spiritual needs of the faithful.
During the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, when anti-Catholic sentiments and persecutions were rampant, Blessed Jeanbaptiste found himself facing great hostility towards the Church. He was arrested and imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France, where he was left to die. The prison ship he was confined in was known as Deux-Associés.
Despite the harsh conditions of his imprisonment and the imminent threat to his life, Blessed Jeanbaptiste Laborie Du Vivier remained steadfast in his faith. He continued to pray and offer spiritual support to his fellow prisoners, spreading hope and comfort amidst their suffering.
Tragically, on September 27, 1794, while still aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, Blessed Jeanbaptiste Laborie Du Vivier was martyred for his unwavering devotion to his Catholic faith. His martyrdom was a result of the vehement anti-Catholic persecutions that gripped France during the French Revolution.
His courageous witness to Christ's love and his unwavering dedication to his priestly duties earned him recognition as one of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort. These martyrs were individuals who suffered and died for their faith aboard the prison ships during the French Revolution.
Blessed Jeanbaptiste Laborie Du Vivier's holiness and martyrdom were acknowledged by the Catholic Church when he was venerated on July 2, 1994, by Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II further recognized his martyrdom by decree on that same day. A year later, on October 1, 1995, Pope John Paul II beatified him, officially declaring him Blessed.
As a Blessed of the Catholic Church, Jeanbaptiste Laborie Du Vivier serves as an inspiring example of faith and commitment during times of persecution. His life reminds us of the enduring courage and unwavering belief in Christ exhibited by the early Christian martyrs. We can turn to him in prayer, seeking his intercession for strength and perseverance in our own faith journeys.