ALL SAINTS: ⛪ Saint Simon Marie Antoine Just Ranfer De Bretenieres

Born on February 28, 1838, in Chalon-sur-Saône, France, Simon-Marie-Antoine-Just Ranfer de Bretenières came into the world amidst the echoes of faith and nobility. His family, aristocratic yet deeply Catholic, traced their lineage to an era of knights and kings, their estate nestled in Burgundy’s fertile land. His father, Charles de Bretenières, was a man of duty and tradition, his mother, Eugénie, a woman of prayer and quiet strength. As the eldest of six children, Simon was raised in a household where faith was more than a custom—it was a fire passed through generations.

From childhood, Simon’s soul leaned toward the divine. At five, he knelt beside his mother at morning prayers, his small hands clasped in imitation. At ten, he marveled at the priests in their vestments at Mass, his heart stirred by the mystery of the Eucharist. Educated at the College of Saint-Lazare in Autun, he excelled in his studies, his mind sharp, his spirit sharper. Yet, the world’s lures held no power over him. While others dreamed of wealth and renown, Simon’s heart whispered a single name—Jesus.

A Call to Mission and Martyrdom

At eighteen, Simon entered the Saint-Sulpice Seminary in Paris, pursuing the priesthood with unwavering zeal. Yet, his soul yearned for more than the quiet sanctity of parish life. He devoured the stories of missionaries—St. Francis Xavier, St. Jean-Gabriel Perboyre—his heart beating with their courage. In 1861, he joined the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP), a decision that sealed his fate. He wrote home: "God calls me beyond France, beyond comfort, to where He is unknown."

His mission? Korea. A land forbidden to Christianity, where foreign priests were hunted, faith was outlawed, and death was the price of the Gospel. But Simon longed not for safety, only for souls. On April 19, 1864, he set sail for the East, his path marked by sacrifice.

The Journey to Korea

Simon’s journey to Korea was fraught with danger. The anti-Christian policies of the Joseon Dynasty made foreign priests enemies of the state, and yet Korea was home to thousands of underground Catholics who yearned for the sacraments. Arriving first in Hong Kong, Simon met fellow missionaries and received instructions for entering the clandestine Christian communities of Korea. The journey from China to Korea required secrecy, as the authorities were vigilant in their efforts to prevent the arrival of foreign priests.

Disguised as a local trader, Simon, along with Bishop Siméon-François Berneux, Father Pierre-Henri Dorie, and Father Just de Saint-Laurent Imbert, embarked on the perilous journey into Korea. The missionaries were guided by Korean Catholic laypeople, who risked their own lives to bring them to the faithful.

Upon reaching Korean soil in 1865, Simon found himself in a land where faith had taken deep root despite brutal persecution. The Korean Catholics, numbering in the thousands, had preserved their faith without priests for decades, relying on oral tradition, prayers, and clandestine gatherings. To them, the arrival of a priest was akin to receiving Christ Himself.

For months, Simon worked tirelessly, baptizing infants, hearing confessions, and offering the Holy Eucharist. He moved from village to village under the cover of night, his presence a beacon of hope for the persecuted faithful. He learned the Korean language with astonishing speed, his humility and love making him beloved among the people.

The Road to Martyrdom

However, in January 1866, disaster struck. The Korean authorities, spurred by anti-Christian fervor, launched a crackdown on Catholic communities. Betrayed by informants, Simon and his fellow missionaries were arrested in Seoul. They were taken to prison, where they faced relentless interrogations and brutal torture.

Despite the agony, Simon refused to renounce his faith. He was stripped, bound, and flogged, his body broken but his spirit unshaken. He wrote a final letter to his family, smuggled out by a sympathetic guard: "Do not weep for me. I go where Jesus went before." He urged his loved ones to rejoice in his martyrdom rather than mourn, for to die for Christ was the highest honor.

The Korean authorities sentenced him and his companions to death. On March 8, 1866, at the age of 28, Simon was led to execution. Bound, kneeling in the dust, he lifted his gaze to heaven. As the executioner’s sword was raised, Simon uttered his final words: "Jesus, receive my soul!" A single stroke, and his earthly journey ended, his soul ascending to the glory of God.

Martyrdom’s Ripple Effect

The execution of Simon and his fellow missionaries sent shockwaves through the Christian underground in Korea. Though intended to terrify, their martyrdom instead ignited greater faith among the people. Witnesses spoke of the serenity on their faces, as if already beholding the face of Christ. The blood of these martyrs watered the seeds of the Church in Korea, inspiring new generations of Catholics to remain steadfast despite persecution.

Back in France, news of Simon’s death was met with sorrow, but also with deep pride. His family, though grieving, knew that he had fulfilled his divine calling. His letters were preserved, his words echoing through the years as a testament to his unwavering faith.

Canonization and Legacy

The sacrifice of St. Simon-Marie-Antoine-Just Ranfer de Bretenières was not forgotten. His cause for canonization began in the late 19th century, as testimonies of his holiness and the miracles attributed to his intercession grew. On May 6, 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized him, along with 102 Korean martyrs, recognizing their heroic virtue and the enduring power of their witness.

Today, St. Simon de Bretenières is venerated as a patron of missionaries and the persecuted Church. His name is invoked by those who leave their homes to spread the Gospel, by those suffering for their faith, and by those who seek courage in times of trial. His relics, preserved in France and Korea, continue to draw pilgrims who come to honor his memory and seek his intercession.

His legacy is particularly strong in Korea, where Catholicism, once outlawed, now thrives. The very land that once rejected Christ’s messengers has become a stronghold of faith, a testament to the power of love over fear, and truth over oppression.

Why St. Simon de Bretenières Matters Today

In a world where faith is often met with indifference or hostility, the life of St. Simon de Bretenières reminds us of the cost—and the beauty—of discipleship. He teaches us that faith is not merely a comfort, but a call to courage. His life challenges us to ask: Are we willing to follow Christ, no matter the cost?

His story is a beacon for missionaries, a light for those suffering for their beliefs, and an invitation for all Christians to live boldly in the love of Christ. Through his witness, we are reminded that the Gospel is worth everything—even our very lives.

A Prayer to Saint Simon de Bretenières

O St. Simon-Marie-Antoine-Just Ranfer de Bretenières, faithful servant of Christ, who gave your life for the Gospel, inspire us with your courage. Strengthen all who suffer for their faith, embolden missionaries who bring His love to distant lands. Teach us to love without fear, to trust without doubt, to live for Jesus alone. Through your intercession, may our hearts burn with the same fire that led you to the cross. Amen.

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Mar 7, 2025

⛪ Saint Simon Marie Antoine Just Ranfer De Bretenieres - Priest