In an article in Vincentiana, Father André Sylvestre C.M., Province of Toulouse, wrote:

“On 2 June 1996, in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father proclaimed John Gabriel Perboyre a saint.
But John Gabriel did not become a saint in one day by some magic wand. We had been waiting for a long time, more than 150 years, for this official decision by the Church, and we thought that it was very late in coming…. we already had clear testimony from people who knew him at different points in his life.”

Learn more about the early life and formation of St. John Gabriel Perboyre, whose feast day is September 11, in this presentation. Below the presentation is an interesting piece found on YouTube (in French, but followed by the English transcription): a video tour of Perboyre’s birthplace in France, featuring interviews with the descendants of his family.

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Transcription:

At the end of November 2019, I shared my visit to Montgesty during the Heritage Days, when I discovered the birthplace of Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre and met some of his family’s descendants. Here is their testimony.

This is the birthplace of Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre, with Pierre, who is a descendant of one of the saint’s sisters. Jean-Gabriel was born in this house in 1802.

Hello Pierre. You are trying to keep alive the memory of Saint Jean-Gabriel, in the very place where he was born, so that at least he will be remembered here in the Lot. You live on this farm, which is no longer really a farm. Actually, you don’t live here yourself, it’s your sister who lives here. This house was built later; the real birthplace is the house to the left with the dovecote.

Inside we can still see the fireplaces from that time, which were working fireplaces. The furniture is also from that period, which means these pieces were literally touched and used by the saint.

There is also the crucifix. At one point, it had been sold, but later it was recovered. The statue here dates from 1966. An earlier one was put up around the time of his beatification.

So, what does it mean for you to be a descendant of his family? From birth, people have spoken to you about him. He was first called “Blessed,” and later canonized as a saint. Was that something moving for your family?

Yes, there were ceremonies. I was present at the official canonization in Rome. It was a unique event, very moving. Of course, for a canonization there must be miracles officially recognized. These took place outside France, so we had no contact with the people who experienced them. In fact, he is not very well-known in France, but in China and elsewhere he is better known.

Ever since his beatification in 1889, our family has always remembered him, commemorating with religious authorities, organizing novenas and Masses, especially around September 11, the date of his martyrdom.

How would you present him to someone who doesn’t know him?

Well, he was born in 1802, and he died in China. That in itself is extraordinary for a young man of this rural background, who could have simply taken over the family farm. Instead, he left everything to become a missionary, following his brother, and eventually gave his life for Christ.

His vocation was not simple. At first, he had to replace his brother in the seminary. He became a priest, a professor, but he was always deeply attracted to the missions. Eventually, he set out for China, even though his health was fragile. He knew the risks but accepted them out of love for Christ.

After three years of mission, he was arrested. He could have saved his life if he had denied his faith, but he refused. After months of imprisonment and a trial, he was executed in 1840 by strangulation on a cross-shaped gibbet.

Later, his remains were buried in China, then eventually brought back to France. Today, they rest in Paris.

At his canonization in Rome, many bishops and priests were present. For us, it was a great moment. His writings convey a very simple but powerful message: “Only one thing is necessary: Jesus Christ.”

For us, being his descendants doesn’t make us feel different from others. We live normal lives. But we are proud to help keep alive the memory of this saint, born here in Montgesty more than 200 years ago.