Fr. John Botton, s.x.

Martyr in China

Born at Carmignano di Brenta, Padua, Italy, on May 9, 1908

Killed at Hsuchang, China,
on April 30, 1944

Caught in the midst of the Chinese - Japanese war, Fr. John Botton was the youngest missionary sent to China.  The Xaverians had tried many times to hide.  On one of these instances, Fr. Botton, hiding in a cellar with other Christians, decided to get away, screaming at the soldiers "tien ciu tang, Italy" (Italian Catholic Mission), but was gunned down. The soldiers then shot at random in the cellar, injuring others.