Blessed Peter Ou, also known as Peter Wu Gousheng, Wu Gousheng, Wu Guosheng Petrus, was a Chinese martyr. He was born in 1768 at Longping in Guizhou Province, China, to a pagan family, and was one of the first converts made by missionaries to his area.
Known from his youth for his sense of justice, his quick defense of the poor and oppressed; his outspoken frightened people in his traditionalist region. A husband and self-made businessman, he owned and ran a large hotel. Naturally enthusiastic, Peter tossed out his household idols, and preached Christianity to anyone who came by. He became the lay leader of the converts in his district, and took the name Peter at baptism. He worked as a catechist for missionaries in Sichuan; instrucing 600 people in Christianity.
He was arrested on 3 April 1814 during a violent backlash against the faith. Although imprisoned and tortured to break him from his faith, he worked to inspire faith in his fellow prisoners, and led prayer services in the cells. He was condemned to death and strangled on 7 November 1814 for refusing to step on a crucifix.
Heaven, heaven, my true home! I see my heavenly Mother and my guardian angel coming to take me home.
Peter’s dying words
