The story of Catholicism in Korea is unlike that of many other nations. Korean scholars, not foreign missionaries, brought the faith to Korea after encountering it while studying in China. This grassroots beginning laid the foundation for a faith that would face immense trials.

Andrew Kim Taegon, born in 1821, became the first native Korean priest. Andrew undertook a perilous journey to priesthood; he secretly left Korea to study in Macau, on the Southern coast of China, knowing that returning could mean certain death.

Paul Chong Hasang, born into a noble family in 1795, never became a priest but was instrumental in petitioning the Holy See to send missionaries to Korea. His father had been martyred for the faith, foreshadowing Paul's own fate. Despite the danger, Paul worked tirelessly to strengthen the Korean Catholic community, often in secret.

Unfortunately, we don't have much information about these saints due to several factors:

• The persecutions in Korea were severe, and many records were destroyed.
• The secretive nature of the early Korean Catholic Church meant that much of its history was passed down orally, with written documentation being risky.
• Korea's isolation from the Western world during this period limited outside accounts of these events.

Despite these challenges, some details of their martyrdom have survived. Authorities arrested Andrew Kim immediately when he returned to Korea and beheaded him on September 16, 1846, when he was only 25 years old. Paul Chong Hasang quickly became one of the leaders of the early Korean Catholic community. It is believed that he was arrested for his faith and tortured. Refusing to renounce his faith, he eventually faced martyrdom on September 22, 1839. Their companions met similar fates, with many executed by beheading or other methods.

The term "and companions" in their title refers to the many other Korean Catholics martyred for their faith during the 19th-century persecutions. While Andrew and Paul are the most well-known, they represent a much larger group of faithful. The exact number is difficult to determine, but somewhere between 8,000-10,000 Korean Catholics were killed during this period.

This is not the only feast day that groups a large collection of saints into "and companions." June 3rd is the memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions - a group of Ugandan martyrs. This naming convention is often used for large groups of martyrs when it is too difficult to identify all the names of each individual martyr.

As we reflect on the lives of these Korean saints, we're challenged to consider the depth of our own faith. In a world where religious freedom is often taken for granted, the story of the Korean Martyrs reminds us of the high price many have paid for their beliefs. Their unwavering commitment in the face of certain death prompts us to ask: How deeply do we hold our convictions? What would we be willing to sacrifice for what we believe?

In honoring Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and their companions, we not only remember their sacrifice but also celebrate their resilience of faith. Their legacy lives on in the vibrant Korean Catholic Church of today, a testament to the enduring power of conviction and faith.

Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, after encountering Christ you chose Him over your earthly lives. Your hope was eternal life, and death became gain for you. Please pray for me, that I will become so deeply devoted to Christ that nothing will ever deter me from following Him. May the hope that your witness gives me inspire me to become a saint like you. Korean Martyrs, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

- from mycatholic.life