Saint Magdalena Du Fengju

Biography

Saint Magdalena Du Fengju, also known as Delian or Du Fengju Magdalena, was a married lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. She is most prominently known as the mother of Saint Maria Du Tianshi and for her martyrdom during the Boxer Rebellion. Born around 1858 in Shenzhou, Hebei, China, Magdalena grew up in a devout Catholic family. She was raised with a strong faith and was educated in the teachings of the Catholic Church. As she grew older, Magdalena married and started a family of her own. Magdalena's devotion to her faith remained steadfast throughout her life, and she instilled the same religious fervor in her daughter, Maria. Both mother and daughter faced persecution during the Boxer Rebellion, a violent uprising against foreigners and Christians in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1900, the Boxer Rebellion reached its peak, and Magdalena, along with her daughter Maria, found themselves in grave danger. The rebels targeted Christians and sought to eradicate their influence in China. Despite the imminent threat to their lives, Magdalena and Maria refused to renounce their faith. On June 29, 1900, in the town of Du, Shenzhou, Hebei, Magdalena Du Fengju was martyred, along with numerous other Christians, for their refusal to abandon their beliefs. They were brutally buried alive, sacrificing their lives rather than denounce their Catholic faith. The heroic actions and unwavering faith displayed by Magdalena and her daughter caught the attention of the Catholic Church. In recognition of their martyrdom, Pope Pius XII declared their veneration on February 22, 1955, through a decree of martyrdom. The two were beatified by the same pope on April 17, 1955, signifying their status as blessed. Magdalena's journey to sainthood reached its culmination on October 1, 2000 when Pope John Paul II canonized her and her daughter Maria, declaring them saints of the Catholic Church. While Saint Magdalena's patronage is not specifically recorded, she is revered as a shining example of fortitude, faith, and devotion to Catholicism. Her life story and martyrdom continue to serve as an inspiration to countless believers, reminding them of the sacrifices made in the name of their faith.