Andrew Kim Taegon

Andrew Kim Taegon was born into a noble family of Christian converts in Korea. His father, grandfather, and great-uncle were martyred for their faith, leaving the family in poverty. Andrew was baptized at the age of 15 and felt called to the priesthood. He traveled to Macau to study at a seminary, and later to Shanghai, where he was ordained by the French bishop Jean Joseph Ferréol in 1844. He returned to Korea to preach and evangelize, and also helped other foreign missionaries to enter the country. He faced many hardships and dangers, as Christianity was outlawed and persecuted by the Joseon dynasty. He was arrested in 1846 and subjected to torture. He refused to renounce his faith or betray his fellow Christians. He was beheaded on September 16, 1846, near Seoul, becoming the first Korean-born Catholic priest and martyr. His last words were: This is my last hour of life, listen to me attentively: if I have held communication with foreigners, it has been for my religion and for my God. It is for Him that I die. My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death, because God has eternal chastisements in store for those who have refused to know Him. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984, along with 102 other Korean martyrs, including his father and Paul Chong Hasang. He is the patron saint of the Korean clergy and his feast day is celebrated on September 20.