1816 - Joannes de Triora

February 13, 1816

Changsha, Hunnan

Joannes de Triora.

Joannes de Triora[1] was born on March 15, 1760, to devout Catholic parents in Italy. From an early age Joannes received godly instruction, resulting in the formation of a deep desire to serve and please God within young man’s heart.

At the age of just 16 Triora joined the Franciscan Order. After several years of studying theology and philosophy he was ordained a priest and was appointed to teach at a seminary. Later he was transferred to a different seminary, but during that time his heart was not at peace because he felt God wanted him to go to China and witness to those living in darkness. Less convinced that God called him to such a ministry, his superiors kept the frustrated Triora in Italy for many more years, until finally he was released to become a missionary to China in 1800, at the age of 40.

Leaving Europe for the Orient, Triora arrived at Macau before continuing onward to Shanxi Province in north China. After waiting so long for the chance to do what he believed Christ had called him to, Triora soon encountered great success wherever he ministered. One source notes,

“During his 16 years of pastoral work in the two provinces of Shanxi and Hunan, more than 7,000 baptisms were the result of his great efforts. However, towards the end of that period, the government forbade preaching or catechetical work and he was arrested. He suffered much in his seven months in prison.”[2]

Another source says, “Because of his garb he had been mistaken for a Bai Lian Jiao [White Lotus Society] rebel and had been captured near Hengzhou in Hunan Province.”[3] The authorities tortured the Italian missionary, hoping their remorseless brutality would weaken Triora’s resolve and cause him to denounce Christ. On one occasion the prison guards brought a crucifix and put it on the floor, promising to release Triora and send him home to Italy if he would just place his foot on the cross. His refusal to do so made his persecutors angry with rage, and they sentenced him to death. On February 13, 1816, the 56-year-old Joannes de Triora was hanged at Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province.

1. Various publications have called him John Lantrua of Triora, Giovanni da Triora, and Francesco Maria Lantrua.
2. CRBC, The Newly Canonized Martyr-Saints of China, 77.
3. Latourette, A History of Christian Missions in China, 179.