Jean-Gabriel Perboyre was a 19th-century French Catholic priest belonging to the Congregation of the Mission. Born in 1802 in Montgesty, he felt a religious calling after accompanying his brother to a seminary. After his ordination in 1825, he eventually traveled to China to serve as a missionary, seeking to replace his brother who had died during his own journey to the region. While serving in Hubei, he was arrested during a period of local persecution and was ultimately executed in Wuchang in 1840.
Missionary life
Perboyre arrived in Macau in 1835 to study Chinese before traveling to the Henan region. After transferring to the Hubei mission, he faced intense local persecution in 1839. Following his arrest, he was subjected to inhumane treatment and multiple trials. He died in September 1840 after being strangled on a cross in Wuchang.
Veneration
He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1889 and later canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1996. His remains were moved from China to the Vincentian Motherhouse in Paris. He is remembered for his spiritual devotion, having composed a prayer focused on being transformed into the likeness of Christ.