Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon and Paul Chong Hasang and Companions were courageous witnesses of the Catholic faith in Korea during the 19th century. Andrew Kim Taegon, born in 1821, was the first native Korean priest. He grew up in a time when Christians were brutally persecuted for their faith. After studying for the priesthood in Macau, he returned to Korea to minister in secret. His work was short-lived; at the age of 25, he was arrested and executed in 1846 for his unwavering commitment to Christ.
Paul Chong Hasang, a layman born in 1795, came from a family of martyrs. His father had been killed for the faith, yet Paul remained steadfast. He tirelessly worked to strengthen the Korean Church, serving as a catechist, teacher, and leader of the faithful. He even wrote letters to the Pope requesting more priests to minister in Korea. Arrested for his faith, Paul was executed in 1839.
Alongside them, 101 other Korean martyrs—including men, women, and children—gave their lives for Christ between 1839 and 1867. Their collective witness testifies to the strength of faith in the face of persecution and to the growth of the Church in Korea, which today thrives as one of the most vibrant Catholic communities in the world.
Practical Lessons
- Stand Firm in Your Beliefs: The Korean martyrs refused to renounce their faith even under torture and death. In daily life, this means standing firm in your Catholic values at work, school, or among peers, even if it is unpopular or misunderstood.
- Support the Church with Your Talents: Paul Chong Hasang wrote letters, taught the faith, and organized the faithful. We can follow his example by volunteering at our parish, helping teach catechism, or offering professional skills to strengthen the Church.
- Live Courageously in Family Life: Many of the martyrs were parents and children. Their faith-filled lives remind us to pray together as families, attend Mass regularly, and place Christ at the center of our homes, no matter the challenges.
Prayer
Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions, you gave your lives as witnesses to the love of Christ. Intercede for us, that we may have the courage to live our faith boldly in our daily lives. Help us to strengthen the Church with our talents, to place Christ at the center of our families, and to endure difficulties with hope. May your example inspire us to love God above all things. Amen.
Quote
“We have received baptism, entrance into the Church, and the honor of being called Christians. Yet what good will this do if we are Christians in name only and not in fact?” — St. Andrew Kim Taegon
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Eustace and Companions (c. 118), Martyrs; St. Eustace is the Patron of protection from fire (temporal or eternal) and of people in difficult circumstances.
Image from AnaStpaul
