Tsao was born in the small village of Wujiazhai in Guizhou Province on April 28, 1821. Her family was a traditional Catholic family originally from Sichuan Province. She later left her hometown to work in the city ofXingyi after her parents died. There she met a Catholic woman who let her live with her. Soon, Bishop Bai came to visit Xingyi and found out that she was without family so he took her to the local parish to learn more about Christianity. The bishop found her to be clever and a quick learner. When Agnes became eighteen, she married a local farmer, but her brother- and sister-in-law treated her as an outsider and did not consider her a part of the family. Therefore, Agnes was left with little to eat. Things became worse for Agnes when her husband died after two years and she was driven out of the house. In order to support herself, she took odd jobs as a helper. Then a pious Catholic widow invited Agnes to stay with her. She also had a good understanding of the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Whenever a priest visited them this widow received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. With such an example before her, Agnes was able to cultivate her own spirituality.
Missionary work
One day, when Fr. Auguste Chapdelaine was in town, he discovered how well Agnes knew the faith and asked her to move to Guangxi Province for some missionary work, especially for teaching the Catholic faith to some 30-40 Catholic families living there. In 1852, she went out to the town of Baijiazhai in Xilin County and made it her preaching headquarters, teaching the Catholic faith throughout Guangxi. She also taught cooking and household management, and in her spare time helped babysit.
Arrest and death
In 1856, when she was helping out in Yaoshan, Guangxi, the local government decided to take some measures against the Christians living in that area. Agnes was taken into custody along with many other Catholics who were soon released; only Agnes and Chapdelaine had to stay in prison. Chapdelaine later died in prison. The county magistrate tried to persuade Agnes to deny her faith under the promise that if she did, she would be released. However, Agnes was unmoved. Then the magistrate threatened torture, but she showed no fear. Finally, on the 22nd day of the first month, the magistrate decided on her punishment. He had her locked in a cage so small that she could only stand up. She prayed repeatedly, "God, have mercy on me; Jesus save me!" She died three days later on March 1, 1856.
