Joseph Boissel was born in France in 1909. He grew up in a family of modest peasant farmers in a small village and became fatherless at 14. Following a call toward religious life, he entered the seminary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and after ordination, he set off to be one of the first missionaries to Laos. Toward the end of World War II, Fr. Boissel was captured by Japanese troops and imprisoned for a year. After returning to Laos he rebuilt his mission, founded a seminary, and helped refugees when the French were fighting in neighboring Vietnam. In 1969, he and two lay missionaries were traveling on a road when their jeep was ambushed by Communist guerrillas, and Fr. Boissel earned the crown of martyrdom.
CHALLENGE
Blessed Joseph Boissel was considered a rather ordinary student, but his piety and strong work ethic made him an excellent missionary who appealed to the local people. Sometimes the best way to evangelize is to simply be a hard and joyful worker. Every diocese has an office of evangelization. Today, contact yours and see in what small way you can lend a big hand at an upcoming event.
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