Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and companions
Saint Profile
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean Catholic priest. Born in 1821, he was chosen as a seminarian at the age of fifteen and sent to Macau to continue his studies. After being ordained to the priesthood in Shanghai in 1845, he returned to Joseon (Korea) with Bishop Ferréol and Father Daveluy aboard a small wooden vessel, the Raphael. Once back in his homeland, he worked tirelessly to secure safe entry routes for missionaries seeking to enter Joseon during the time of persecution. He was soon arrested, however, and in 1846, only one year after his ordination and six months after his return, he was martyred at Saenamteo. Through his deep faith and loving devotion to God, Saint Andrew Kim Taegon helped lay the foundations of the Korean Church. In 1984, he was canonized in Seoul by Pope Saint John Paul II as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs.
Symbol: Red Stole
The red stole symbolizes the martyrdom of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean priest. Though only twenty-five years old, he endured severe torture and attained the glory of martyrdom. Even in prison, he revealed his steadfast faith in God, leaving behind letters that encouraged the persecuted Catholics of Joseon until the very end.
Prayer
Lord, source of all truth,
you led Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, in response to your love,
to reveal your glory through martyrdom.
Grant that we too, following your word, “Take courage,”
may overcome every fear
and boldly bear witness to Christ
with fervent love.
Amen.
