Michei Ruggieri (Luo Mingjian) was born inItalyin 1543. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1572 and was sent toMacaoseven years later.

In 1582, he led some believers to build the first church in the Chinese mainland for the Society of Jesus. In 1585, a provincial governor invited him to missionize inZhejiangProvince. Later, he went toHubeiProvinceand Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for missionary work. In 1591, he returned toEurope. In 1609, he died.