59 - St. Mark Ji Tianxiang: Doctor, Martyr, Drug Addict

St. Mark Ji Tianxiang was a doctor who lived in the late 1800s, who was martyred for his faith during the Boxer Rebellion. He was also an opium addict who struggled with his addiction for 30 years, and was a drug addict at the time of his death.

St. Mark Ji is an example to anyone struggling with addiction, disorders, or mental illness.

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• An image of the statue of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang can be found here
• Brian Fraga, "The life of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang: Persevering in faith despite addiction"
• Meg Hunter-Kilmer, "St. Mark Ji Tianxiang (1834-1900)"
• Aleteia, "He was an opium addict who couldn’t receive the sacraments. But he’s a martyr and a saint"
• Catholic Answers, "Addict, Martyr, and Saint"
• the Catholic Encyclopedia, "Martyr"
• the Vatican, "Pope John Paul II's teaching on the Martyrs of our Century"
• Catholic Answers, "Grace: What it Is and What it Does"
• Fr. Richard Conlin, "St. Mark Ji Tianxiang"
• Pints with Aquinas, "The Opium-Addicted Saint"