John Cornay, Blessed
John Cornay, Blessed
Martyr , born Loudun, France , 1809 ; died Sontai, Indo-China, 1837 . He joined the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris, and was ordained 1834 . Sent to China , Father Cornay was placed in charge of the parish of Bauno in Tonkin. In 1837 he was seized, placed in a cage, and carried to Sontai. Here he suffered severe torture for promulgating the Christian religion. Finally on 20 September , he was decapitated and his hands and feet cut off. His body was temporarily buried near the place of execution; after three years exposure his head was secured by some Christians, and his entire remains later received honorable burial in the Christian parish of Schioung. Beatified , 1900 .