St. Arian and Companions
Feastday: March 8
Death: 311
An Alexandrian martyr with Theoticus and three others. Arian was the governor of Thebes. He and his companions witnessed the martyrdom of Sts. Apollonius and Philemon in Alexandria and were converted. Upon confessing the faith, the men were thrown into the sea.
St. Duthac
Feastday: March 8
Bishop of Ross, in Scotland. An Irishman by birth, he was venerated for miracles and prophecies. He is recorded to have predicted the Danish invasion.
St. Julian of Toledo
Feastday: March 8
Birth: 642
Death: 690
Archbishop of Toledo, the first to serve as primate over the entire Iberian peninsula. He was reportedly of Jewish descent but was raised a Christian and became a monk at Agali under St. Eugene. Julian eventually became abbot and then a bishop in 680. A powerful Church leader in his era, he convened synods, established Toledo as the primal see of Spain and Portugal, revised the Mozarabic liturgy, and wrote Prognostics, on death.
Julian of Toledo (642–690) was born in Toledo, Hispania,.[1] He was well educated at the cathedral school, was a monk and later abbot at Agali, a spiritual student of Saint Eugene II, and archbishop of Toledo. He was the first bishop to have primacy over the entire Iberian Peninsula—a position he has been accused of securing by being complicit in 680 in the supposed poisoning of Wamba, king of the Visigoths[2]—and he helped centralize the Iberian Church in Toledo. His elevation to the position of primate of the Visigothic church was a source of great unhappiness among the kingdom's clergy. And his views regarding the doctrine of the Trinity proved distressing to the Vatican.
He presided over several councils and synods and revised the Mozarabic liturgy. A voluminous writer, his works include Prognostics, a volume on death (and by far his most influential work); a history of King Wamba's war with dux Paul in Septimania (a Sallustian work, and one of the few examples of historical writing from the late Visigothic kingdom); and a book on the future life (687). A lost work, apparently dedicated to King Erwig, dealt with the issue of Jews owning Christian slaves. He encouraged the Visigothic kings in Hispania to deal harshly with the Jews. For example, in presiding over the Twelfth Council of Toledo, he induced King Erwig to pass severe anti-Jewish laws. At Erwig's request, in 686, he wrote De Comprobatione Aetatis Sextae Contra Judaeos, a work dealing with messianic prophesies of the Bible in a way intended to convert the Jews.
He died at Toledo in 690 of natural causes. Julian's memorial is held March 8.
He is commemorated by way of a portrait in the cathedral of Toledo. JT's Cocktail Bar and Club in Oxford is named in his honour.
Saint John of God
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(மார்ச் 8)
✠ கடவுளின் புனிதர் ஜான் ✠
(St. John of God)
நிறுவனர் (Founder):
பிறப்பு: மார்ச் 8, 1495
மோண்டேமோர்-ஓ-நோவோ, போர்ச்சுகல்
(Montemor-o-Novo, Évora, Portugal)
இறப்பு: மார்ச் 8, 1550 (வயது 55)
கிரனடா, ஸ்பெயின்
(Granada, Spain)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
அருளாளர் பட்டம்: செப்டம்பர் 21, 1630
திருத்தந்தை எட்டாவது அர்பன்
(Pope Urban VIII)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: அக்டோபர் 16, 1690
திருத்தந்தை எட்டாவது அலெக்சாண்டர்
(Pope Alexander VIII)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மார்ச் 8
முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:
"புனிதர் கடவுளின் ஜான்" பேராலயம், கிரனடா, ஸ்பெயின்
(Basilica of St. John of God, Granada, Spain)
பாதுகாவல்:
புத்தக வியாபாரிகள், மன நோயாளிகள், மருத்துவமனைகள், செவிலியர்கள், இறப்போர்
“புனிதர் கடவுளின் ஜான்” போர்ச்சுகல் நாட்டில் பிறந்து, ஒரு போர் வீரனாக தமது வாழ்வைத் தொடங்கியவர் ஆவார். பின்னாளில், ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டின் ஒரு மருத்துவ பணியாளராக மாறிப் போன இவரைப் பின்பற்றியவர்கள், பிற்காலத்தில் உலகளாவிய மன நோயாளிகளைப் பராமரிப்பதற்கான "கடவுளின் ஜானின் சகோதர மருத்துவ பணியகங்கள்" (Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God) எனும் உலகளாவிய கத்தோலிக்க நிறுவனத்தை தொடங்கினர். அது, மன நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள், ஏழைகள் மற்றும் நோயாளிகளின் சேவைக்காக அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்டது.
ஸ்பெயின் (Spain) நாட்டின் “அண்டலூசியா” (Andalusia) மாகாணத்தின், “கிரணடா” (Granada) பிராந்தியத்திலுள்ள புனிதர் கடவுளின் ஜான் மருத்துவமனையின் சிற்றாலய குருவான “ஃபிரான்செஸ்கோ டி கேஸ்ட்ரோ” (Francisco de Castro) என்பவர், முதன்முதலில் புனிதர் கடவுளின் ஜானுடைய சரிதத்தை எழுதினர். கடவுளின் ஜானை, ஒரு இளம் மனிதனாக அவர் அறிந்திருந்ததும், அவருடைய விஷயத்தில் நேரில் கண்டவர்களிடமும், சமகாலத்தவர்களிடமிருந்தும் சேகரிக்கப்பட்ட விடயங்களை அவர் பயன்படுத்தினார். இதன் வெளியீட்டுக்கு கிரணடா பேராயர் (Archbishop of Granada) நிதி உதவியளித்தார். ஆகவே இது கிரணடாவிலேயே வெளியிடப்பட்டது. ஃபிரான்செஸ்கோ டி கேஸ்ட்ரோ, கடவுளின் ஜான் மரித்ததன் பின்னர், 29 ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து, 1579ம் ஆண்டு சரித்திரத்தை எழுத தொடங்கினார். ஆனால், தமது படைப்பு வெளியிடப்படுவதை காண இவர் இருக்கவில்லை. சரித்திரத்தை எழுதி முடித்த சிறிது காலத்திலேயே இவர் மரித்துப் போனார். அவரது தாயாரான “கேடலினா டி கேஸ்ட்ரோ” (Catalina de Castro) அதனை வெளியிட்டார்.
இது வெளியிடப்பட்ட சிறிது காலத்திலேயே, இதன் இத்தாலிய மொழியாக்கம், ரோம் நகரிலுள்ள “புனிதர் பிலிப்பு நேரியின் நாவன்மை சபையின்” (Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri) குருவான “ஜியோவன்னி போர்டினி” (Giovanni Bordini) என்பவரால், 1587ம் ஆண்டு வெளியிடப்பட்டது. மொழி பெயர்ப்பில் பல்வேறு தவறுகள் இருந்தும், இவருடைய வெளிப்படையான சொந்த கருத்துக்கள் இருந்தும், இதுவே மற்ற மொழிகளின் பெரும்பாலான மொழிபெயர்ப்புகளின் ஆதாரமாகியது.
"ஜோவாவோ டுவார்ட் சிடாட்” (João Duarte Cidade) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இவர், போர்ச்சுகல் நாட்டிலுள்ள "மோண்டேமோர்-ஓ-நோவோ" எனும் இடத்தில், 1495ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், எட்டாம் நாளன்று பிறந்தார். இவரின் தந்தை பெயர், "ஆண்ட்ரே சிடாடே" (André Cidade) ஆகும். தாயாரின் பெயர், "தெரெசா டுவார்ட்" (Teresa Duarte) ஆகும்.
இவருக்கு எட்டு வயது நடக்கும்போது ஒருநாள், இவர் வீட்டிலிருந்து காணாமல் போனார். யாராவது சிறுவனை வேண்டுமென்றே கடத்திவிட்டார்களா, அல்லது தமது வீட்டில் விருந்தினராக இருந்த மத குரு ஒருவரே சிறுவனை மயக்கி அழைத்துச் சென்றுவிட்டாரா என்று கவலைப்பட்டனர் பெற்றோர். தாங்கொணா கவலையால் வாடிய அவரது தாயார் விரைவிலேயே மரித்துப்போனார். அவரது தந்தையாரும் ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபையில் (Franciscan Order) இணைந்துவிட்டார்.
சிறுவன் சிடாட், ஸ்பெயின் (Spain) நாட்டின் "டோலேடோ" (Toledo) நகரின் அருகேயுள்ள "ஒரொபெசா" (Oropesa) என்னுமிடத்தின் தெருக்களில் வீடற்ற, அனாதைச் சிறுவனாக சுற்றிக்கொண்டிருந்தார். ஊர் பெயர் அறியாத வெளி நாடொன்றில், தங்குவதற்கு இடமில்லாமலும், உண்பதற்கென்று உணவொன்றும் இல்லாமலும், உதவுவதற்கும் யாருமில்லாமலும் தவித்தார் சிடாட். இறுதியில், "ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கோ மயோரல்" (Francisco Mayoral) என்ற விவசாயி சிறுவனுக்கு உதவ முன்வந்தார். சிறுவனுக்கு புகலிடம் தந்த அவர், சிறுவனுக்கு கிராமமொன்றில் கால்நடைகளை மேய்க்கும் பணி தந்தார்.
சுமார் பதினான்கு வருடங்கள் அங்கே பணிபுரிந்த சிடாடின் வலிமை, விடாமுயற்சி, கடின உழைப்பு ஆகியவற்றால் கவரப்பட்ட விவசாயி, தமது மகளை சிடாடுக்கே மணமுடித்துக் கொடுத்து தமது வாரிசாக வைத்துக்கொள்ள விரும்பினார். அவர் தமது இவ்விருப்பத்தை தொடர்ந்து சிடாடிடம் வலியுறுத்தி வந்தார். 22 வயதான சிடாட், விவசாயியின் நல்லெண்ணத்தை உணர்ந்தாலும், அவரது பெண்ணுடன் திருமணத்திற்கு சம்மதிக்க அவருக்கு மனம் ஒப்பவில்லை.
தருணம் பார்த்து காத்திருந்த சிடாட், "ரோமப் பேரரசன்" (Roman Emperor) "ஐந்தாம் சார்ளசின்" (Charles V) இராணுவத்தின் காலாட்படைப் பிரிவொன்றில் சேர்ந்து ஃபிரெஞ்ச் படைகளுக்கு எதிராக போர் புரிய சென்றார். காலாட்படைப் பிரிவில் பணிபுரிகையில் ஒருமுறை, கொள்ளையடிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த பெரும் தொகையான பணம் மற்றும் பொருட்களுக்கு காவலிருக்க சிடாட் பணிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தார். சிடாட் அந்த காவல் பணியிலிருந்து மாற்றப்படும் வேளையில், மொத்த பொருட்களும் பணமும் கொள்ளை போனது. இயற்கையாகவே சிடாட் மீது அனைவருக்கும் சந்தேகம் வந்தது. உண்மையிலேயே அவர் அதில் சம்பந்தப்படாவிடினும், விசாரணையின் இறுதியில் பணியில் கவனமின்றி இருந்த குற்றத்துக்காக அவருக்கு மரண தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனாலும் அவரது விதியானது, வேறொரு பொறுமைசாலியான இராணுவ அதிகாரி ரூபத்தில் வந்தது. மீண்டும் விசாரணை நடத்திய அவர், சிடாடுக்கு மன்னிப்பு வழங்கினார்.
சிடாட் "ஒரொபெசா" (Oropesa) பண்ணைக்கே திரும்பினார். மீண்டும் சுமார் நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் பழைய, கால்நடைகளை மேய்க்கும் பணியைச் செய்தார்.
பின்னர், துருக்கி நாட்டுக்கு எதிராக போர் புரிய ஹங்கேரி சென்றுகொண்டிருந்த இராணுவப் படைகளுடன் இணைந்து சென்றார். சிடாட் சுமார் பதினெட்டு வருடங்கள் ஐரோப்பிய நாடுகளெங்கும் இராணுவ பணிபுரிந்தார்.
இதுவரை தாம் வாழ்ந்த வாழ்க்கையில் பூரண திருப்தி காணாத சிடாட், ஒரு தியாக வாழ்வு வாழவேண்டுமென விரும்பினார். ஆபிரிக்கா சென்று அங்கே அடிமைகளாக வாழும் கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் விடுதலைக்காக உழைக்க எண்ணினார். "மொரோக்கோ" (Morocco) நாட்டின் வடக்கு கடற்கரைப் பிரதேசமான போர்ச்சுகீசிய காலனியான "சியோட்டா" (Ceuta) சென்றார். அங்கேயுள்ள ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் துறவு மடம்" (Franciscan Friary) சென்று தமது ஆன்மீக விருப்பத்தினை கூறினார். ஆனால் அங்கிருந்த துறவியரோ, ஆபிரிக்காவில் அவரது ஆன்மீக வளர்ச்சி முழுமையடையாது என்றும் ஸ்பெயின் திரும்புமாறும் அறிவுறுத்தினர்.
ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டின் "கிப்ரால்ட்டர்" (Gibraltar) சென்று சேர்ந்த சிடாட், இறைவன் தம்மில் காண விரும்புவதை அறியும் பொருட்டு "அண்டலூசியா" (Andalusia) பிராந்தியம் முழுதும் சுற்றித் திரிந்தார். இவர், தம்மை இறைவன் இறைபணியை ஆற்ற அழைப்பதாக உணர்ந்தார். இந்த கால கட்டத்தில்தான் சிடாடுக்கு குழந்தை இயேசுவின் தரிசனம் கிட்டியது என்பர். அதன் காரணமாகவே பின்னாளில் இவருக்கு "கடவுளின் ஜான்" (John of God) என்ற பெயர் வழங்கலாயிற்று. இறைவன் அவரை "கிரணடா" (Granada) நகர் சென்று பணி புரிய அறிவுறுத்தினார். அதன்படியே "கிரணடா" சென்ற சிடாட், அங்கேயே தங்கினார்.
1537ம் ஆண்டு, "புனிதர் செபஸ்தியான்" அவர்களின் (Saint Sebastian's Day) நினைவுத் திருநாளான ஜனவரி மாதம் 20ம் நாள், சிடாட் தலையாய மறை போதகரான "அவிலாவின் ஜான்" (John of Ávila) ஆற்றிய மறையுரையைக் கேட்டார். அதனால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டார். 42 வயதான சிடாட், அதுவரை தமது வாழ்க்கையில் நடந்த சம்பவங்களுக்காக வருந்தினார். திடீரென அவர் மனநலம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டார். பொது இடங்களில் தம்மைத்தானே அடித்துக்கொண்டார். கருணை வேண்டினார். தமது கடந்த கால வாழ்க்கைக்காக பரவலாக மன்னிப்பு வேண்டினார். மக்கள் அவரைப் பிடித்து அங்கிருந்த அரசு மன நோயாளிகளுக்கான மருத்துவமனையில் சேர்த்தனர். முதல் நாள் சிகிச்சையில், அவர் அங்கே சங்கிலியால் கட்டப்பட்டார். தனிமையில் அடைத்து வைக்கப்பட்டார். சாட்டையால் அடிக்கப்பட்டார். பட்டினி போடப்பட்டார்.
அவரைக் காண "அவிலாவின் ஜான்" (John of Avila) வந்தார். அவர், "சொந்த கஷ்டங்களைப் பெரிது படுத்தாமல் பிறருக்கு உதவ மென்மேலும் ஈடுபாட்டுடன் செயல்பட வேண்டும்" என்று அறிவுறுத்தினார். சிடாட், தமது இருதயத்திற்கு சமாதானம் கிட்டியதாக உணர்ந்தார். அவரது ஆன்மீக தேடல் இங்கே முடிவுக்கு வந்தது. ஏழை மக்களின் வாழ்க்கையை முன்னேற்றுவதில் உதவுமாறு அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டார். பின்னாளில் அவிலாவின் ஜான் இவரது ஆன்மீக வழிகாட்டியாக விளங்கினார்.
மருத்துவமனையை விட்டு வெளியே வந்த சிடாட், ஏழை மக்களினிடையே பணி புரிய தொடங்கினார். இதனிடையே சிடாட் "குவாதலூப் மரியன்னையின்" (Our Lady of Guadalupe) திருத்தலத்திற்கு திருப்பயணம் மேற்கொண்டார். அங்கே தீவிர செபத்தின்பின்னர், அன்னையின் தரிசனம் கிட்டியதாகவும், அன்னை அவரை இன்னும் தீவிரமாக ஏழை மக்களுக்கான பணிகளைச் செய்யுமாறு அறிவுறுத்தியதாகவும் கூறப்படுகின்றது. இதன்பின்னர் சிடாட் தமது பணிகளை தீவிரப்படுத்தினார். மருத்துவமனைகளை கட்டி எழுப்பினார். செவிலியர் கல்வியை ஸ்பெயினில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தினார். மருத்துவமனைகளுக்குச் சென்று மனநோயால் துன்பப்படும் மக்களிடம் மணிக்கணக்கில் அமர்ந்து உரையாடி ஆறுதல் வழங்கினார். "மருத்துவ பணியாளர்கள்" (Order of Hospitallers) என்ற அமைப்பினை ஏற்படுத்தினார். பின்னாளில் அது, 1572ம் ஆண்டு, "கடவுளின் ஜானின் மருத்துவப் பணியாளர் சகோதரர்கள்" (Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God) என்ற பெயரில் ஒப்புதல் அளிக்கப்பட்டது.
துன்பங்களிலிருந்து வெளியேறி நலமான வாழ்வை வாழ வழிகாட்டினார். ஊர் ஊராகச் சென்று நோயாளிகளை கவனித்தார். மறைப்பணி மற்றும் மருத்துவ பணியாற்றும்போது எண்ணற்ற வேதனைகளை அனுபவித்தார்.
கடவுளின் ஜான், தாம் பிறந்த அதே நாளான மார்ச் எட்டாம் தேதி, தமது ஐம்பத்தைந்தாம் வயதில் மரணமடைந்தார்.
Also known as
• Giovanni di Dio
• Juan de Dios
• Juan Ciudad
Profile
Juan grew up working as a shepherd in the Castile region of Spain. He led a wild and misspent youth, and travelled over much of Europe and north Africa as a soldier in the army of Charles V, and as a mercenary. Fought through a brief period of insanity. Peddled religious books and pictures in Gibraltar, though without any religious conviction himself. In his 40's he received a vision of the Infant Jesus who called him John of God. To make up for the misery he had caused as a soldier, he left the military, rented a house in Granada, Spain, and began caring for the sick, poor, homeless and unwanted. He gave what he had, begged for those who couldn't, carried those who could not move on their own, and converted both his patients and those who saw him work with them. Friend of Saint John of Avila, on whom he tried to model his life. John founded the Order of Charity and the Order of Hospitallers of Saint John of God.
Born
8 March 1495 at Montemoro Novo, Evora, Portugal
Died
• 8 March 1550 at Granada, Spain while praying before a crucifix from a illness he had contracted while saving a drowning man
• relics at Granada
Canonized
16 October 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
Patronage
• against alcoholism
• against bodily ills
• against sickness
• alcoholics
• bookbinders
• booksellers
• dying people
• firefighters
• heart patients
• hospitals (proclaimed on 22 June 1886 by Pope Leo XIII)
• hospital workers
• nurses (proclaimed in 1930 by Pope Pius XI)
• publishers
• printers
• sick people
• Tultepec, Mexico
Saint Senan of Scattery
Also known as
• Senan of Inis Cathaigh
• Senames...
Additional Memorial
6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland
Profile
Apparently born to a Christian farm family. Educated by Saint Naul and a saintly monk named Cassidan. Monk at Kilmanagh (Kilkenny), Ireland. Founded a monastery at Enniscorthy, Ireland. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy and to Tours, France, a center of monasticism at the time. Founded several churches and monasteries including houses at Iniscarra, Ireland. Spiritual teacher of Saint Aiden of Lindesfarne. Aquaintance of Saint David of Wales, and friend of Saint Cannera of Inis Cathaig. In later life he retired to Inish Cathaig (Scattery Island) on the river Shannon; the river is believed to have been named for him. Bishop. Legend says that he chased away the Cathach, a type of monstrous sea serpent, from the island by ordering it, in the name of the Trinity, to depart.
Born
• c.488 at Corca Bhaisin, County Clare, Ireland
• tradition says that Saint Patrick predicted his birth
Died
8 March 544 on Inish Cathaig, Ireland of natural causes
Blessed Vincent Kadlubek
Also known as
• Vincent Kadlubo
• Vincent Kadlubko
• Vincent of Cracow
• Wincenty Kadlubek
Profile
Born wealthy. Studied in France and Italy. Provost of the cathedral of Sandomir, Poland. May have been the principal of the cathedral school of Cracow, Poland. Bishop of Cracow from 28 March 1208. Worked to reform the clergy and invigorate the laity in his diocese. Supported monasteries in Sulejow, Koprzywnica, and Jedrzejow. Peacemaker between Hungary and Poland over the area of Galicia. Vincent resigned his see in 1218, and became the first Polish Cistercian monk, entering the house at Jedrzejow. Noted writer, author of the Chronicles of the Kings and Princes of Poland.
Born
1160 at Karnow, Duchy of Sandomir, Poland
Died
• 8 March 1223 at Jedrzejow, Poland of natural causes
• buried before the high altar in the abbey church
Beatified
• 18 February 1764 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmed)
• in Poland he is referred to as Saint Vincent
Saint Felix of Burgundy
#புனித_பெலிக்ஸ் (-647)
மார்ச் 08
இவர் (#FelixOfBurgundy) பிரான்சில் உள்ள பர்கண்டி என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்தவர்.
துறவியான இவர் இங்கிலாந்தில் உள்ள கிழக்கு ஆஞ்சிலியாவின் மன்னர் சிக்பர்ட் என்பவரைச் சந்தித்து, அவருக்குக் கடவுளின் வார்த்தையை அறிவித்து கிறிஸ்துவின் மீது நம்பிக்கை கொள்ளச் செய்தார். இதனால் அவர் தன் சொந்த நாட்டிற்குத் திரும்பிய பின் இவரை அழைத்துக் கடவுளின் வார்த்தையை தன் நாட்டில் அறிவிக்கச் சொன்னார்.
இவரும் அங்குச் சென்று கென்ட் ஆற்றங்கரைப் பகுதியிலிருந்த மக்களுக்குக் கடவுளின் வார்த்தையை அறிவித்து, பலரையும் கடவுள்மீது நம்பிக்கை கொள்ளச் செய்தார்.
இவர் அங்குப் பல பள்ளிக்கூடங்களையும் கல்லூரியையும் கோயில்களையும் துறவு மடத்தையும் கட்டி எழுப்பினார். இவர் கட்டியெழுப்பிய கல்லூரிதான் பின்னாளில் கேம்பிரிட்ஜ் பல்கலைக்கழகமானது.
இப்படி நற்செய்தியையும் கல்விப் பணியையும் ஒருங்கே செய்த இவர் 647 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்.
Also known as
• Apostle of East Anglia
• Apostle to the East Angles
• Felix of Dunwich
• Felix of East Anglia
Profile
Monk. Priest. Met, befriended, converted and baptised King Sigebert who was in exile from East Anglia. When Sigebert returned to East Anglia in 630, he invited Felix to bring Christianity to his people. Felix was ordained bishop by Saint Honoratus of Canterbury, and then sailed up the River Kent, apparently starting his work in the area now known as Felixstowe. Evangelized throughout East Anglia, building a cathedral and school at Dunwich, stone churches throughout the region, and the college that became the University of Cambridge. With Saint Sigebert he founded the Bury Saint Edmunds abbey c.637. Worked with Saint Fursey. Spiritual teacher of Saint Audrey.
Born
late 6th century in Burgundy, France
Died
8 March 647 of natural causes
Patronage
diocese of East Anglia, England
Representation
bishop with three rings on his right hand
Saint Stephen of Obazine
Also known as
• Stephen of Aubazine
• Stephen of Vielzot
Profile
Pious youth. Priest. Hermit with another priest named Pierre. The pair's reputation for holiness drew so many spiritual students that c.1134, with the approval of the bishop of Tulle, France, they founded a monastery composed of many small huts in the forest. The monks were noted for their severe austerity, and spent most of their time in prayer and study. Nearby at Coyroux they founded a convent for 150 nuns along similar lines.
As there was no written Rule for the community, c.1142 Stephen joined the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns in the forest followed suit. He affiliated his house with the Cistercians in 1147, and served as abbot.
The monastery was suppressed in the repressions of the French Revolution, and its property seized in 1791. The abbey church survives, and serves as a parish church.
Born
c.1085 at Limousin, France
Died
8 March 1159 at the monastery of Obazine, France
Canonized
1701 by Pope Clement XI (cultus confirmed)
Saint Theophylact of Nicomedia
Also known as
• Theophylact of Constantinople
• Theophilus of...
Profile
Immigrant to Constantinople. Studied under Saint Tarasius, Patriach of Constantinople. Sent by Tarasius to a monastery on the Bosphorus with Saint Michael the Confessor. Monk. Established hospices for travellers, and worked with the poor, widows, orphans, the mentally ill, the blind, lame, and sick. Bishop of Nicomedia (part of modern Turkey). Opposed the Iconoclasm of Emperor Leo V of Armenia; banished by Leo to the fortress of Coria, and imprisoned for the last 35 years of his life.
Born
8th century Asian
Died
• 845 in prison in Coria, Asia Minor, of natural causes
• buried in Nicomedia c.846
Saint Duthus of Ross
Also known as
• Chief Confessor of Ireland and Scotland
• Dothow, Dubhthach, Dubtach, Dubthach, Duthac, Duthacus, Duthak
Profile
Educated in Ireland. Bishop of Ross, Scotland.
Born
c.1000 in Tain, Scotland
Died
• 8 March 1065 in Ireland of natural causes
• interred in the original Saint Duthus Chapel at Tain, Scotland
• body found to be incorrupt after 7 years, 6 months and 9 days
• relics translated to the Saint Duthus Collegiate Church in the 14th century
• relics destroy in 1560 as part of the Protestant Reformation
Canonized
11 July 1898 by Pope Leo XIII
Patronage
Tain, Scotland
Blessed Arnulf of Saint-Père-en-Vallée
Also known as
• Arnulf of Chartres
• Arnolfo, Arnoul, Arnulfus, Arnulphus
Profile
Benedictine monk. Abbot of the Saint-Père-en-Vallée monastery near Chartres, France for the final three years of his life. There were controversies during his abbacy as Arnulf lived by the Rule of his Order, insisted that his brother monks do the same, and some left rather than live the true Benedictine life.
Born
France
Died
8 March 1030 in the area of Chartres, France of natural causes
Saint Provinus of Como
Also known as
Probino, Probinus
Profile
Spiritual student of Saint Ambrose of Milan. Co-adjutor to Saint Felix, bishop of Como, Italy whom he succeeded as bishop in 391.
Born
in Gaul (modern France)
Died
• c.420 of natural causes
• some relics enshrined in the collegiate church of San Giovanni Battista in Agno, Ticino, Switzerland since 1096
• remaining relics enshrined in the church of San Provino in Como, Italy in 1118
Patronage
Agno, Switzerland
Saint Veremundus of Irache
Also known as
Bermudo, Bermundo, Veremondo, Veremundo, Vermundo
Profile
Monk. Abbot of Irache Abbey in Ayegui, Spain. Counselor to King Sancho Garcés IV of Navarre and King Sancho Ramírez of Navarre.
Died
• late 11th century of natural causes
• relics translated to a new church at his abbey in Ayegui, Spain in 1583
• over the centuries many of his relics have been distributed to assorted churches in Navarre, Spain
Blessed Carlo Catalano
Profile
Mercedarian friar. Following a prophecy he was given about the coming of the statue name Santa Maria di Bonaria, in 1324 he founded the Mercedarian convent in Cagliari, Italy to manage its shrine; the image finally arrived on 25 March 1370.
Born
Spain
Died
at the Mercedarian convent of Santa Maria di Bonaria in Cagliari, Italy of natural causes
Saint Jón Helgi Ögmundarson
Also known as
• Apostle to Iceland
• Ogmund
Profile
Spiritual student of Isleifur, bishop of Skalholt, Iceland. First bishop of Holar, Iceland in 1106. Great evangelist of the island.
Born
1052
Died
1121 of natural causes
Canonized
1201 by Pope Innocent III
Saint Derwe of Camborne
Also known as
• Derwa
Derchartain (daughter of the rowan tree)
Profile
Missionary to the area of Penwith and Carnmarth in Cornwall in modern western England. Martyr.
Born
Ireland, possibly in the area of Kildare
Died
• c.560
• her grave and the chapel that was built over it became the core of the hamlet of Menadarva, England
Patronage
Menadarva, England
Saint Philemon of Antinoë
Profile
Actor and musician. Convert. Ordered to sacrifice to idols during the persecutions of Diocletian, he confessed that he was a Christian. Tortured and executed. Marytr.
Died
• bound hand and foot, then drowned c.305
• when his body washed up, it was hung in a tree and used by archers for target practice
Patronage
• converts
• dancers
Saint Apollonius of Antinoë
Profile
Christian ordered to sacrifice to pagan idols during the persecutions of Diocletian. Thinking that Saint Philemon of Antinoë was a pagan, he asked him to switch clothes and offer the sacrifice in his place. Philemon announced in front of the pagans that he was a Christian, too. Shamed, Apollonius confessed his faith, was tortured and executed. Martyr.
Saint Arianus of Alexandria
Also known as
Ariannus, Arrianus
Profile
Third-century governor of Thebes, Egypt. Having witnessed the courage of Christian martyrs, he became interested in the faint, and became a convert. Martyr.
Died
• drowned at sea
• legend says that dolphins brought his body back to land so it might be given proper burial
Saint Humphrey of Prüm
Also known as
Hunfrid, Unfrido
Profile
Benedictine monk at Prüm, Germany. Bishop of Thérouanne, France. Abbot of Saint Bertin Abbey. Cared for and supported his flock during Norman invasion. He had a special devotion to the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.
Born
on the banks of the Meuse River
Died
871
Saint Liberius of Achad-Bo
Also known as
Liberius of Aghaboe
Profile
Tradition says that Liberius was a wild and sinful youth before a conversion experience brought him to live as a Christian monk, and then to serve as abbot of the Achad-Bo monastery, Aghaboe, Ireland in the early 7th century.
Died
c.618
Blessed Bernardo Montagudo
Profile
Mercedarian friar, accepted into the Order by Saint Peter Nolasco. Bishop of Zaragoza, Spain.
Died
• 1239 of natural causes
• buried in the cathedral of Zaragoza, Spain
Saint Theotychus of Alexandria
Profile
Layman. Having witnessed the courage of Christian martyrs, he became interested in the faint, and became a convert. Martyr.
Died
• drowned at sea
• legend says that dolphins brought his body back to land so it might be given proper burial
Saint Litifredus of Pavia
Also known as
Litefredus, Liutfredus
Profile
Bishop of Pavia, Italy from 864 until his death.
Died
• 874 of natural causes
• relics in the capella del Sacro Cuore of the cathedral in Pavia, Italy
Saint Beoadh of Ardcarne
Also known as
• Beoadh of Roscommon
• Aeodh, Aidus, Beatus
Profile
Sixth-century bishop of Ardcarne, Roscommon, Ireland.
Born
Irish
Died
c.518 of natural causes
Saint Pontius of Carthage
Profile
Deacon in Carthage, North Africa. Companion in exile, biographer of, and witness at the trial and execution Saint Cyprian of Carthage.
Died
c.262 of natural causes
Saint Dion of Greece
Also known as
Dionysius
Profile
Martyr. No other information has survived.
Died
stabbed with a sword in Greece, date and exaction location unknown
Saint Botmaele of Brittany
Profile
Sixth century monk in Brittany, France. Spiritual student of Saint Mawes.
Saint Rhian
Also known as
Ranus, Rheanus, Rian
Profile
Monk. Abbot. Llanhrian, Wales is named for him.
Born
Welsh
Saint Quintilis of Nicomedia
Profile
Martryed at Nicomedia, date unknown.
Martyrs of North Africa
Profile
A bishop and some of his flock who were martyred together in North Africa. The only details that have survived are nine of the names -
• Beata
• Cyril
• Felicitas
• Felix
• Herenia
• Mamillus
• Rogatus
• Silvanus
• Urban
St. Simon Berneux
Feastday: March 8
Birth: 1814
Death: 1866
Canonized: Pope John Paul II
Korean Martyr
The Korean Martyrs were the victims of religious persecution against Catholic Christians during the 19th century in Korea. Between 8,000 - 10,000 Korean Christians were killed during this period, 103 of whom were canonized en masse in May 1984.[1] In addition, Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 companions were declared "Venerable" on 7 February 2014, and on 16 August 2014, they were beatified by Pope Francis during the Asian Youth Day in Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul, South Korea. There are further moves to beatify Catholics who were killed by communists for their faith in the 20th century during the Korean War.[2]
Background
At the end of the 18th century, Korea was ruled by the Joseon Dynasty. It was a society based on Confucianism and its hierarchical, class relationships. There was a small minority of privileged scholars and nobility while the majority were commoners paying taxes, providing labour, and manning the military, all above a slave class.
Even though it was scholars who first introduced Christianity to Korea, it was the ordinary people who flocked to the new religion. The new believers called themselves Chonju Kyo Udul, literally "Friends of the Teaching of God of Heaven". The term "friends" was the only term in the Confucian understanding of relationships which implied equality.[3]
History
During the early 17th century, Christian literature written in Chinese was imported from China to Korea. On one of these occasions, around 1777, Christian literature obtained from Jesuits in China led educated Korean Christians to study.[4] Although no Koreans were converted to Catholicism by these books until the last quarter of the eighteenth century, the ideas of the Catholic priests espoused in them were debated and denounced as heterodox as early as 1724.[5]
When a Chinese priest managed to secretly enter the country a dozen years later, he found 4,000 Catholics, none of whom had ever seen a priest.[4] The dynamic Catholic communities were led almost entirely by educated laypeople from the aristocracy, as they were the only ones who could read the books that were written in Hanja.
The Christian community sent a delegation on foot to Beijing, 750 miles away, to ask the city's Bishop for bishops and priests. Eventually, two Chinese priests were sent, but their ministry was short-lived, and another forty years passed before the Paris Foreign Mission Society began its work in Korea with the arrival of Father Maubant in 1836. Paul Chong Hasang, Augustine Yu Chin-gil and Charles Cho Shin-chol had made several visits to Beijing in order to find ways of introducing missionaries into Korea. Since the persecution of 1801, there had been no priest to care for the Christian community. Serious dangers awaited the missionaries who dared to enter Korea. The bishops and priests who confronted this danger, as well as the lay Christians who aided and sheltered them, were in constant threat of losing their lives.[6]
Saint Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert, M.E.P.
Bishop Laurent Imbert and ten other French missionaries were the first Paris Foreign Mission Society priests to enter Korea and to embrace a different culture. During the daytime, they kept in hiding, but at night they travelled about on foot attending to the spiritual needs of the faithful and administering the sacraments. The first Korean priest, Andrew Kim Taegon, succeeded in entering Korea as a missionary. However, thirteen months after his ordination he was put to death by the sword in 1846 at the age of 26.[6]
The Catholics gathering in one place with no distinction on the basis of class were perceived to undermine 'hierarchical Confucianism', the ideology which held the State together. The new learning was seen to be subversive of the establishment and this gave rise to systematic suppression and persecution. The suffering the believers endured is well known through official documents which detail trials and the sentences. There were four major persecutions – the last one in 1866, at which time there were only 20,000 Catholics in Korea. 10,000 had died. Those figures give a sense of the enormous sacrifice of the early Korean Catholics. (Other Christian denominations did not enter Korea until sometime later).[3] The vast majority of the martyrs were simple lay people, including men and women, married and single, old and young.
More than 10,000 martyrs died in persecutions which extended over more than one hundred years. Of all these martyrs, seventy-nine were beatified in 1925. They had died in the persecutions of 1839 (Ki-hae persecution), 1846 (Pyong-o persecution) and 1866 (Pyong-in persecution). In addition, twenty-four martyrs were beatified in 1968 on the 6th of October.[7] All together, 103 martyrs were canonized by Pope John Paul II on 6 May 1984.[6] In a break with tradition, the ceremony did not take place in Rome, but in Seoul. Their feast day is September 20. Currently, Korea has the 4th largest number of saints in the Catholic world.[8]
Kim Taegon Statue in Jeoldu-san
From the last letter of Andrew Kim Taegŏn to his parish as he awaited martyrdom with a group of twenty persons:
My dear brothers and sisters, know this: Our Lord Jesus Christ upon descending into the world took innumerable pains upon and constituted the holy Church through his own passion and increases it through the passion of its faithful....Now, however, some fifty or sixty years since the holy Church entered into our Korea, the faithful suffer persecutions again. Even today persecution rages, so that many of our friends of the same faith, among whom I am myself, have been thrown into prison....Since we have formed one body, how can we not be saddened in our innermost hearts? How can we not experience the pain of separation in our human faculties? However, as Scripture says, God cares for the least hair of our heads, and indeed he cares with his omniscience; therefore, how can persecution be considered as anything other than the command of God, or his prize, or precisely his punishment?...We are twenty here, and thanks be to God all are still well. If anyone is killed, I beg you not to forget his family. I have many more things to say, but how can I express them with pen and paper? I make an end to this letter. Since we are now close to the struggle, I pray you to walk in faith, so that when you have finally entered into Heaven, we may greet one another. I leave you my kiss of love.
In the early 1870s, Father Claude-Charles Dallet compiled a comprehensive history of the Catholic Church in Korea, largely from the manuscripts of martyred Bishop Antoine Daveluy. The Korean Martyrs were known for the staunchness, sincerity, and number of their converts. An English lawyer and sinologist Edward Harper Parker observed that
Coreans, unlike Chinese and Japanese, make the most staunch and devoted converts.... The Annamese make better converts than either Chinese or Japanese, whose tricky character, however, they share; but they are gentler and more sympathetic; they do not possess the staunch masculinity of the Coreans.[9]
According to Ernst Oppert,
An observation, founded upon many years' experience, may not be out of place here, and that is, that among all Asiatic nationalities there is probably none more inclined to be converted to Christianity than the Corean....He becomes a Christian from conviction, not from any mercenary motives.[10]
Bishop and martyr Simeon Francois Berneux wrote,
The Corean possesses the most perfect dispositions for receiving the faith. Once convinced, he accepts and attaches himself to it, in spite of all sacrifices it may cost him.[11]
Rev. Francis Goldie stated,
Certainly few countries, if any, have to tell of such a painful apostolate, or of one which has had such success. Japan alone in later days can boast a martyrology at all to compare with that of Corea in the number of the slain, or in the heroism of those who died for Christ.[12]
Individual martyrs
Stela to the members of the Paris Foreign Missions Society who were martyred in Korea.
Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and 101 Companions
The Christian community first began to take shape when Yi Sung-hun started to study Christian doctrine by himself and was eventually baptized and given the name Peter in 1784. Because of their belief in the Christian God, the first Korean Christians were persecuted repeatedly, rejected by their families, and suffered a loss of their social rank. Despite persecutions, the faith continued to spread.
The Christian community in Korea was given the assistance of two Chinese priests, but their ministry was short-lived, and another forty years passed before the Paris Foreign Mission Society began its work in Korea with the arrival of Father Mauban in 1836. A delegation was selected and sent to Beijing on foot, 750 miles, in order to ask the Bishop of Beijing to send them bishops and priests.
The same appeal was made to the Pope in Rome. Serious dangers awaited the missionaries who dared to enter Korea. The bishops and priests who confronted this danger, as well as the lay Christians who aided and sheltered them, were in constant threat of losing their lives.
In fact, until the granting of religious liberty in Korea in 1886, there was a multitude of "disciples who shed their blood, in imitation of Christ Our Lord, and who willingly submitted to death, for the salvation of the world" (Lumen Gentium, 42). Among those who died, and were later labelled as martyrs, were eleven priests and ninety-two lay people who would be canonized as saints.
Bishop Laurent Imbert and ten other French missionaries were the first Paris Foreign Mission Society priests to enter Korea and to embrace a different culture for the love of God. During the daytime, they kept in hiding, but at night they travelled about on foot attending to the spiritual needs of the faithful and administering the sacraments.
The first Korean priest, Andrew Kim Tae-gon, prompted by his faith in God and his love for the Christian people, found a way to make the difficult task of a missionary entry into Korea. However, just thirteen months after his ordination he was put to death by the sword when he was just 26 years old and the holy oils of ordination were still fresh on his hands.
Paul Chong Ha-sang, Augustine Yu Chin-gil and Charles Cho Shin-chol had made several visits to Beijing in order to find new ways of introducing missionaries into Korea. Since the persecution of 1801, there had been no priest to care for the Christian community. Finally, they succeeded in opening a new chapter in the history of the extension of the Church in Korea with the arrival of a bishop and ten priests of the Paris Foreign Mission Society.
Among the martyrs honored were fifteen virgins, including the two sisters Agnes Kim Hyo-ju and Columba Kim Hyo-im who loved Jesus with undivided heart (I Cor.7, 32–34). These women, in an era when Christian religious life was still unknown in Korea, lived in community and cared for the sick and the poor. Similarly, John Yi Kwang-hyol died a martyr's death after having lived a life of celibacy in consecrated service to the Church.
It is also important to recall in a special way some of the other martyrs who were canonized that day: Damien Nam Myong-hyok and Maria Yi Yon-hui were models of family life; John Nam Chong-sam, though of high social rank, was a model of justice, chastity and poverty; John Pak Hu-jae who, after he lost his parents in the persecutions, learnt to survive by making straw sandals; Peter Kwon Tug-in who devoted himself to meditation; Anna Pak A-gi who, although she did not have a deep grasp of Christian doctrine, was wholly devoted to Jesus and His Blessed Mother; and finally, Peter Yu Tae-chol who at the tender age of 13, bravely confessed his faith and died a martyr.
More than 10,000 martyrs died in persecutions which extended over more than one hundred years. Of all these martyrs, seventy-nine were beatified in 1925. They had died in the persecutions of 1839 (Ki-hae persecution), 1846 (Pyong-o persecution) and 1866 (Pyong-in persecution). In addition, twenty-four martyrs were beatified in 1968. All together, 103 martyrs were canonized on 6 May 1984 - on the shores of the Han River and in view of the martyrs' shrines at Saenamto and Choltusan, where they went to their eternal reward
Peter Yi Hoyong
Protasius Chong Kukbo
Magdalena Kim Obi
Anna Pak Agi
Agatha Yi Sosa
Agatha Kim Agi
Augustine Yi Kwanghon
Barbara Han Agi
Lucia Pak Huisun
Damian Nam Myonghyok
Peter Kwon Tugin
Joseph Chang Songjib
Barbara Kim
Barbara Yi
Rosa Kim Nosa
Martha Kim Songim
Teresa Yi Maeim
Anna Kim Changgum
John Baptist Yi Kwang-nyol
Magdalena Yi Yonghui
Lucia Kim Nusia
Maria Won Kwiim
Maria Pak Kunagi
Barbara Kwon Hui
Johannes Pak Hujae
Barbara Yi Chonghui
Maria Yi Yonhui
Agnes Kim Hyochu
Francis Choe Kyonghwan
Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert
Pierre-Philibert Maubant
Jacques-Honoré Chastan
Paul Chong Hasang
Augustine Yu Chinkil
Magdalena Ho Kyeim
Sebastian Nam Igwan
Kim Iulitta
Agatha Chon Kyonghyob
Charles Cho Shinchol
Ignatius Kim Chejun
Magdalena Pak Pongson
Perpetua Hong Kimju
Columba Kim Hyoim
Lucia Kim Kopchu
Catherine Yi
Magdalena Cho
Peter Yu Tae-chol
Cecilia Yu Sosa
Barbara Cho Chungi
Magdalena Han Yongi
Peter Choe Changhub
Benedicta Hyong Kyongnyon
Elizabeth Chong Chonghye
Barbara Ko Suni
Magdalena Yi Yongdok
Teresa Kim
Agatha Yi
Stephen Min Kuk-ka
Andrew Chong Hwagyong
Paul Ho Hyob
Augustine Pak Chongwon
Peter Hong Pyongju
Magdalena Son Sobyok
Agatha Yi Kyong-i
Maria Yi Indok
Agatha Kwon Chin-i
Paul Hong Yongju
Johannes Yi Munu
Barbara Choe Yongi
Anthony Kim Songu
Andrew Kim Taegon
Charles Hyon Songmun
Peter Nam Kyongmun
Lawrence Han Ihyong
Susanna U Surim
Joseph Im Chipek
Teresa Kim Imi
Agatha Yi Kannan
Catherina Chong Choryom
Peter Yu Chongnyul
Siméon-François Berneux
Simon-Marie-Just Ranfer de Bretenières
Pierre-Henri Dorie
Louis Beaulieu
John Baptist Nam Chongsam
John Baptist Chon Changun
Peter Choe Hyong
Mark Chong Uibae
Alexis U Seyong
Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy
Martin-Luc Huin
Pierre Aumaitre
Joseph Chang Chugi
Lucas Hwang Soktu
Thomas Son Chasuhn
Bartholomew Chong Munho
Peter Cho Hwaso
Peter Son Sonji
Peter Yi Myongso
Joseph Han Wonso
Peter Chong Wonji
Joseph Cho Yunho
John Yi Yun-il
Paul Yun Ji Chung and 123 companions
Yun Ji Chung Paul and his 123 companions have been the foundation of the Korean Catholic Church until this day. They played a pivotal role in evangelization with their pious faith which contributed to the growth of faithful in Korea. The testimony of their faith attributed as great encouragement to all the believers in the early stage of Catholicism in Korea, where many suffered martyrdom.
Among Yun Ji Chung Paul and his fellow 123 Martyrs, fifty three of most of them suffered from persecution during the Shinyoo persecution period(1801). Prior to Shinyoo persecution, three Martyrs during Shinhae persecution(1791), three Martyrs during Eulmyo persecution(1795) and eight Martyrs were persecuted during the Jeongsa persecution(1797). Martyrs persecuted after the Shinyoo persecution are one Martyr in 1841, twelve(1815) and two(1819) respectively during the Eulhae persecution, four in Jeonghae persectution(1827), eighteen in Kihae persecution(1839), twenty during the Byeongin persecution(1866–1888). Regionally persecution was executed throughout the country. In the capital of Chosun, Hanyang, 38, Gyeongsan province 29, Jeongra province 24, Choongchung province 18, Gyeonggi province 12, Gangwon province 3. Hanyang, the capital was the region where most severe persecution was conducted.
The 124 Martyrs exhibited astonishing bravery in faith and witnessed the Love of God with their lives. Martyrs' confession of faith for love in Jesus Christ culminated with the sacrifice of their lives. Yun Ji Chung was the first Martyr during the Shinhae persecution which occurred in 1791, in the 15th year under the reign of King Jeong(1791). Yun Ji Chung Paul testified God as the "Almighty Father of all mankind". He testified "A man can go against a King or their parents, but never can I disobey the Almighty Lord, our Father". Yun strongly believed that he can glorify the Lord through his death. We must take a moment to reflect on the historical background of Chosun Dynasty. It was the time when fidelity towards parents and loyalty to the King dominated common value. Our Martyrs respected the King and loved their parents but their priority was the profound faith they had in God. Their love and faith in the Almighty Father ousted materialism and even mankind. Yun Ji Chung is distinguished as the representative of his fellow Martyrs because he was the very first Martyr from the land where Christianity, unprecedentedly sprout from laity without missionaries.
The abundant fruits of the 124 Martyrs continue to grow vividly not only in their dioceses, but throughout the whole Korean Church now until today. Many Catholics and their shepherds are inspired by the faith and love they have shown. Their testimony of faith came to be recognized immediately after the Beatification of the 103 Saints presided by John Paul II in 1984.
Biography of major martyrs
Yun Ji-chung Paul (1759–1791): Yun Ji-chung Paul, the first Chosun martyr killed for his Catholic faith, was born in 1759 to a noble family in Jinsan, Jeolla-do. Yun Ji-heon Francis, who was martyred during the Shinyu Persecution of 1801, was his younger brother.
In 1783, Yun passed the first state examination and learned about Catholicism for the first time through his cousin Jung Yak Yong John. After being baptized in 1787, he preached the Catholic doctrine to his mother, younger brother, and cousin Kwon Sang Yeon James. He also kept in touch with Yoo Hang Geom Augustine to keep up mission work.
In 1791, Bishop Gouvea of Beijing ordered a ban on traditional ancestral rites within his diocese. Yun Ji Chung and Kwon Sang Yeon, in accordance with the Church's commands, set their families ancestral tablets on fire. Chung's mother died the following year. She requested to receive a Catholic funeral which her son duly provided for her. These actions angered the royal family.
News of Yun's actions led to dispute in the royal court. In the end, Jeongjo backed the Noron faction push to oppress Catholicism and ordered the arrest of Yun and Kwon.
The governor of Jinsan went to Yun's house. He discovered the absence of the family's ancestral plates. At the time the pair were in hiding. Upon hearing that Yuns's uncle had been taken into custody they handed themselves into the authorities.
In the face of calls to renounce their Catholic faith the pair refused. The governor judged that getting them to abandon their religion was beyond him. They were sent to a government building in Jeonju. The pair continued to refuse apostasy despite interrogation and torture. An official report on the situation was delivered to the royal court. Opinion within the court was in favour of the death penalty. Jeongjo supported this view and ordered their execution. On the 8th of the December 1791 Yun and Kwon were beheaded.
This episode is referred to as the 'Jinsan incident'.
Fr. Jacob Zhou Wenmo (1752–1801): The first missionary priest to be dispatched to Chosun. Born in Suzhou, China in 1752, he lost his parents early in life and were raised by his grandmother. He entered Catholic by himself and became a priest as one of the first graduates at Beijing Archdiocese seminary. At that time, Bishop Gouvea in Beijing was planning to send a clergy to Chosun. He chose Father Ju, who had a strong faith and looked similar to Chosun people. After leaving Beijing in February 1794, Father Ju waited at Yodong area until the Amnokgang River froze enough to cross across. On the appointed date, he went to a town located on the border between China and Chosun to meet secret envoys sent from Chosun and entered Chosun on the night of December 24. Since then, Father Ju stayed at the house of a faithful to learn Hangul, the Korean alphabets. On Easter of 1795, he held a mass with the faithful for the first time. However, after his entry was revealed, he escaped to female President Kang Wan Sook (Colomba)'s house and continued to pray in many areas in secrecy. The number of the faithful increased to 10,000 after six years but as the Catholic Persecution of 1801 occurred and the faithful were forced to confess the location of Father Ju, he decided to surrender on March 11 of that year. On May 31, Father Ju was decapitated at Saenamteo area near Han River at the age of 49.
Yun Yoo Il Paul (1760–1795): A secret envoy from Beijing who helped missionary to enter Chosun. He was born in Yeoju, Kyungki-do in 1760. After moving to Yanggeun, he encountered Catholic while studying under Kwon Chul Shin. He learned Catholic doctrine from Kwon Il Shin, the younger brother of Kwon Chul Shin, and entered into Catholic. He then preached the doctrine to his family. In 1789, Yun Yoo Il was selected as a secret envoy by the church leaders to report the situation of Chosun church to Bishop Gouvea. Thus, he went to Beijing two times: in 1789 and in 1790. In 1791, Bishop Gouvea's plan to dispatch a priest failed and persecution took place in Chosun. Nonetheless, Yun Yoo Il continued to endeavor to dispatch a priest. In 1794, he finally succeeded in bringing Father Ju Mun Mo to Chosun. Since then, he was responsible for keeping in contact with Beijing church. In 1795, Yun Yoo Il was arrested along with Ji Hwang (Sabas), Choi In Gil (Mathew). They were tortured to tell the location of Father Ju, but their strong endurance and wise response rather confused the persecutors. As a result, the three of them were beaten to death on June 28 of that year, when Yun Yoo Il was 35, Ji Hwang 28, and Choi In Gil 30.
Jeong Yak Jong Augustinus (1760–1801): The first Catholic lay theologian in Korea. In 1760, he was born into a family of scholars in Majae (current Neungnae-ri Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si Gyeonggi-go). He is the father of Jeong Chul Sang(Charles ?-1801) who will be beatified together with the 123 Blessed and St. Jeong Ha Sang Paul (martyred in 1839), who was declared saint in 1984. After learning Catholic doctrine from his older brother Jeong Yak Jeon in 1786, he moved to Yanggeon Bunwon (current Bunwon-ri, Namjeong-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-go) to live a life of faith and preached a doctrine to his neighbors while participating in church activities. After Father Ju Mun Mo came in 1794, Jeong Yak Jong often visited Han Yang to help church work. He also wrote two easy Hangul textbooks called 'Jugyo-yoji' a Catechism in the Korean language and distributed them to Christians with Father Ju's approval. Moreover, he became the first president of a layperson association called 'Myeongdo-hoe' which was organized by Father Ju. When persecution began in his hometown in 1800, Jeong Yak Jong and his family moved to Han Yang. However, Catholic Persecution of 1801 began in the following year and Jeong Yak Jong was arrested. As he tried to preach the righteousness of Catholic doctrine to persecutors, he was decapitated at Seosomun in 15 days after he was arrested. When he was martyred, he said "I'd rather die looking up at the sky than to die looking down at the ground" and was decapitated while looking up at the sky. That was 8 April 1801, when he was at age 41.
Kang Wan Sook Columba (1761–1801): Female leader of Chosun Catholic. In 1761, she was born to a concubine of a noble family in Naepo area in ChungCheong-do. She learned about Catholic soon after she was married and practiced doctrine by reading Catholic books. During the persecution in 1791, she was imprisoned while taking care of the imprisoned faithful. Kang Wan Sook guided her mother-in-law and her son from previous marriage (Hong Pil Joo Phillips, martyred in 1801) to enter Catholic but she could not make her husband enter Catholic. Later, when her husband got a concubine, Kang Wan Sook and her husband lived separately. After hearing that the faithful in Han Yang are well-informed with Catholic doctrine, she moved to Han Yang with her mother-in-law and her son. She provided financial support to Christians working on recruiting a clergy and was baptized by Father Ju Mun Mo. Knowing her fine personality, Father Ju appointed Kang Wan Sook as a female President to take care of the faithful. When a persecution in 1795 took place, Kang Wan Sook took advantage of the fact that persecutors cannot search a house owned by a woman and let Father Ju to take refuge in her house. Her house was also used for the faithful's assembly. On April 6, 1801, Kang Wan Sook helped Father Ju to escape while being arrested. Although persecutors tried to trace Father Ju's whereabouts through her, she refused to confess. On 2 July, she was decapitated outside Seosomun at age 40.
Yu Hang-geom Augustine (1756–1801): The priest of Ho Nam. Yu Hang-geum Augustine was born in 1756 in Chonam, Jeonju. He learned the catechism soon after Catholicism was introduced to Korea in 1784 and became a Catholic. His sons Yu Jung-cheol John, Yu Mun-seok John and his daughter-in-law Yi Sun-i Lutgarda and his nephew Yu Jung-seong Matthew will be beatified along with Yu Hang-geom Augustine. He showed compassion and gave alms to poor neighbors as well as to his servants. Augustine Yu was appointed as pastor of Jeolla-do region when in the spring of 1786, the leaders of the Catholics held a meeting and appointed clergy at their own discretion. Afterwards, Augustine Yu returned to his hometown and celebrated Mass and administered the Sacraments to the faithful. However, after a while, the leaders of the Catholics understood that such an act was a sacrilege. As soon as this was brought to his attention, he stopped immediately. When the Persecution of 1801 broke out, Augustine Yu, who was recognized as the head of the Church in the Jeolla-do region, was first to be arrested. He was taken to Seoul (Hanyang) from Jeon ju where he underwent interrogation and torture at the Police Headquarters. However, since he was already determined to die a martyr, he neither betrayed the other believers nor said anything that would harm the Church. The persecutors, despite all their efforts, could not get any of the information they were looking for. Hence, they charged him with the crime of treason and ordered that he be executed. With this decision, Augustine Yu was transferred back to Jeonju, where he was hacked to pieces outside the South Gate of Jeonju.
Hwang Il-gwang Simon (1757–1802): Hwang Il-gwang Simon was born in Hongju, Chungcheong-do to a low-class family. Around 1792, he moved to Hongsan, where he went to see Yi Jon-chang Louis Gonzaga to learn about the Catholic teaching. After he understood the faith, he left his hometown and moved to Gyeongsang-do to have more freedom to practice his religious life. The Catholics knew about the social status of Simon Hwang, but they welcomed him with open hearts and surrounded him with Christian charity. On receiving such treatment he sometimes made jokes as follows: "Here, everybody treats me as a human being despite my low-class status. Now, I believe that Heaven exists here and hereafter." In 1800 Simon Hwang moved to the neighboring house of Jeong Yak-jong Augustine and when Augustine Jeong moved to Seoul (Hanyang), he also moved to Seoul (Hanyang) with his younger brother and made his living by selling firewood. In 1801, Simon Hwang was arrested while he was on his way to the mountain to get firewood. By stating that the Catholic religion is a 'holy religion', he was cruelly beaten to the point that one of his legs was broken. Simon Hwang was then transferred to his hometown Hong ju and was beheaded. It was on 30 January 1802 when Simon Hwang was 45 years old.
Yi Sun-I Lutgarda (1782–1802): A couple who kept their virginity through faith Yi Sun-I Lutgarda was born in 1782 to a well-known noble family. Her brothers Yi Gyeong-do Charles (martyred in 1801) and Yi Gyeong-eon Paul (martyred in 1827), and her husband Yu Jung-cheol John (martyred in 1801) will be beatified with her. Yi Yun-ha. Matthew, Lutgarda Yi's father, inherited the scholarship of his maternal grandfather Yi Ik who was a renowned scholar of the time. Matthew Yi became a Catholic in 1784, soon after Catholicism was introduced to Korea, when he met Kwon Chol-sin, and Kwon Il-sin. Lutgarda Yi received her First Holy Communion from Father Zhou Wen-mo James and made a vow of chastity. However, in the society of that time, it was extremely difficult for a young woman to remain single. When she was 15 years old, Lutgarda confessed to her mother that she had decided to keep her vow of chastity for God. Her mother agreed with her decision and consulted Father James Zhou. Father James Zhou remembered that Yu Jung-cheol John also wanted to live a life of celibacy. Hence, he immediately sent a messenger and arranged their marriage. In 1798, Lutgarda Yi went to her husband's hometown, Chonam in Jeonju and made a vow to live a celibate life. During Shinyu Persecution in 1801, Yu Hang-gom Augustine, her father-in-law, was first arrested. Lutgarda Yi was arrested later and was taken to Jeonju. Lutgarda Yi was condemned to exile and left for Hamgyeong-do. However soon the police followed them and arrested them again. On 31 January 1802, Lutgarda Yi was taken to the execution ground in Jeonju, called 'Supjeongi' and was beheaded. Lutgarda Yi was 20 years old. The letter she wrote while she was imprisoned in Jeonju still remains until today and testifies for the values of Catholics of the time.
Kim Jin-hu Pius (1739–1814): The ancestor of the St. Kim Taegon Andrew. Kim Jin-hu Pius was born in Solmoe, Chungcheong-do. He was the great-grandfather of St. Kim Taegon Andrew and the father of Kim Jong-han Andrew, who was martyred in 1816 and who will be beatified with the 123 Blessed. Pius Kim encountered Catholicism when his eldest son learned the catechism from Yi Jon-chang Gonzaga and taught it to his brothers. Then, Pius Kim was about 50 years old. As he obtained a small government post from the governor, he strongly refused the advice of his children. However, as his sons kept persuading him, he gradually drawn towards Jesus Christ and quitted his government position to focus on fulfilling religious duties. When Pius Kim was arrested during the Sinhae persecution in 1791, he professed his faith in God. He was arrested four to five more times but was released each time. He was also arrested during the Shinyu Persecution in 1801, but was exiled and set free. Pius Kim was arrested again in 1805 and was taken to Haemi. This time, he behaved like a real Catholic and professed his faith in God without hesitation. He stayed in prison for a long time without being sentenced to death. In prison, the officials and prison guards respected him for his noble and dignified personality and conduct. He spent 10 years in prison, during which he endured the sufferings and pains of prison. He died in prison on 1 December 1814 at the age of 75.
Yi Seong-rye (1801–1840): Mother who inherited faith to her children She was born in 1801 in Hongju, Chungcheong-do. She was from the family of Louis Gonzaga Yi Jon-chang. At the age of 17, she married St. Francis Choe Kyeong-hwan and lived in Darakgol, Hongju. In 1821 she gave birth to their first son, Thomas Choe Yang-up. Due to the danger of persecution the family had to move frequently but Yi Seong-rye told biblical stories to her children and taught them to endure difficulties and to be patient. After settling down in Surisan (currently Gunpo-city, Gyeonggi-do) she helped her husband to set up the Christian village. Meanwhile, her son Thomas Choe Yang-up was chosen to be a candidate for the seminarian and was sent to Macau to study theology. In 1839, during the Gihae persecution her husband went back and forth Hanyang (now Seoul) to take care of the bodies of the Martyrs, she supported her husband and finally was arrested by the police with her whole family in Surisan. She suffered painfully not because of the torture, but because of her maternal love for her new-born baby who was nearly starved to death due to lack of milk from his mother. Yi could no longer abandon her baby so she yielded to defy her faith and was released from prison. When her eldest son left to China to be a seminarian, she was imprisoned once again. When she was sentenced to death, with divine grace and prayers from her Catholic friends, she overcame all the temptation and was sent to Danggogae (now Wonhyoro 2-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul) to be beheaded at the age of 39.
Paul Yun Ji Chung
Jacob Gwon Sangyeon
Peter Won Sijang
Paul Yun Yuil
Matthew Choe Ingil
Sabas Jihwang
Paul Yi Dogi
Francis Bang
Lawrence Pak Chwideuk
Jacob Won Sibo
Peter Jeong Sanpil
Francis Bae Gwangyeom
Martin In Eonmin
Francis Yi Bohyeon
Peter Jo Yongsam
Barbara Simagi
Johannes Choe Changhyeon
Augustine Jeong Yakjong
Francis Xavier Hong Gyoman
Thomas Choe Pilgong
Luke Hong Nakmin
Marcellinus Choe Changju
Martin Yi Jungbae
Johannes Won Gyeongdo
Jacob Yun Yuo
Barnabas Kim Ju
Peter Choe Pilje
Lucia Yun Unhye
Candida Jeong Bokhye
Thaddeus Jeong Inhyeok
Carol Jeong Cheolsang
Father Jacob Zhou Wenmu, Missionary from Qing dynasty
Paul Yi Gukseung
Columba Gang Wansuk
Susanna Gang Gyeongbok
Matthew Kim Hyeonu
Bibiana Mun Yeongin
Juliana Kim Yeoni
Anthony Yi Hyeon
Ignatius Choe Incheol
Agatha Han Sinae
Barbara Jeong Sunmae
Agatha Yun Jeomhye
Andrew Kim Gwangok
Peter Kim Jeongduk
Stanislaus Han Jeongheum
Matthew Choe Yeogyeom
Andrew Gim Jonggyo
Philip Hong Pilju
Augustine Yu Hanggeom
Francis Yun Jiheon
Johannes Yu Jungcheol
Johannes Yu Munseok
Paul Hyeon Gyeheum
Francis Kim Sajip
Gervasius Son Gyeongyun
Carol Yi Gyeongdo
Simon Kim Gyewan
Barnabas Jeong Gwangsu
Anthony Hong Ikman
Thomas Han Deokun
Simon Hwang Ilgwang
Leo Hong In
Sebastian Kwon Sangmun
Lutgrada Yi Suni
Matthew Yu Jungseong
Pius Kim Jinhu
Agatha Magdalena Kim Yundeok
Alexis Kim Siu
Francis Choe Bonghan
Simon Kim Gangi
Andrew Seo Seokbong
Francis Kim Huiseong
Barbara Ku Seongyeol
Anna Yi Simi
Peter Ko Seongdae
Joseph Ko Seongun
Andrew Kim Jonghan
Jacob Kim Hwachun
Peter Jo Suk
Teresa Kwon
Paul Yi Gyeongeon
Paul Pak Gyeonghwa
Ambrose Kim Sebak
Richard An Gunsim
Andrew Yi Jaehaeng
Andrew Pak Saui
Andrew Kim Sageon
Job Yi Ileon
Peter Sin Taebo
Peter Yi Taegwon
Paul Jeong Taebong
Peter Gim Daegwon
Johannes Cho Haesong
Anastasia Kim Joi
Barbara Kim Joi
Anastasia Yi Bonggeum
Brigida Choe
Protasius Hong Jaeyeong
Barbara Choe Joi
Magdalena Yi Joi
Jacob Oh Jongrye
Maria Yi Seongrye
Thomas Jang
Thaddeus Ku Hanseon
Paul Oh Banji
Mark Sin Seokbok
Stephan Kim Wonjung
Benedict Song
Peter Song
Anna Yi
Felix Peter Kim Giryang
Matthias Pak Sanggeun
Anthony Jeong Chanmun
Johannes Yi Jeongsik
Martin Yang Jaehyeon
Peter Yi Yangdeung
Luke Kim Jongryun
Jacob Heo Inbaek
Francis Pak
Margarita Oh
Victor Pak Daesik
Peter Joseph Yun Bongmun
Legacy
Pope John Paul II, speaking at the canonization, said, "The Korean Church is unique because it was founded entirely by lay people. This fledgling Church, so young and yet so strong in faith, withstood wave after wave of fierce persecution. Thus, in less than a century, it could boast of 10,000 martyrs. The death of these martyrs became the leaven of the Church and led to today's splendid flowering of the Church in Korea. Even today their undying spirit sustains the Christians in the Church of silence in the north of this tragically divided land".[4] After the canonization of the 103 Martyrs, the Catholic Church in Korea felt that the martyrs who died in the other persecutions also need to be recognized. In 2003, the beatification process for 124 martyrs who died in persecutions between 1791 and 1888 began.[citation needed]
They were declared Venerable by Pope Francis on 7 February 2014. The group is headed by Paul Yun Ji-Chung, a nobleman who converted to Catholicism and refused to have his deceased mother buried under the traditional Confucian rite. His refusal led to a massive persecution of Christians called the Sinhae Persecution in 1791. Paul was beheaded on 8 December 1791, together with his cousin, James Kwon Sang-yeon. They were the first members of the Korean Nobility to be killed for the faith. Among the martyrs in this group are Fr. James Zhou Wen-mo (1752–1801), a Chinese priest who secretly ministered to the Christians in Korea; Augustine Jeong Yak-Jong (1760–1801), the husband of St. Cecilia Yu So-sa and father of Sts. Paul Chong Ha-sang and Elizabeth Chong Chong-hye; Columba Kang Wan-suk (1761–1801), known as the "catechist of the Korean Martyrs"; Augustine Yu Hang-geom (1756–1801), also known as the "apostle of Jeolla-do"; and Maria Yi Seong-rye (1801–1840), the wife of St. Francis Choe Kyeong-hwan. Also included in the group are Augustine Yu Hang-geom's son John Yu Jeong-cheol (1779–1801) and his wife Lutgarda Yi Sun-i (1782–1802). They both decided to live celibate lives in order to fully dedicate themselves to God, but the Confucian society, which greatly valued furthering the family line, made it impossible for them to live as celibates. Fr. James Zhou introduced the two to each other and suggested them to marry each other and live as a "virgin couple". The two were married in 1797 and were martyred 4 years later
