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Fellow Pilgrims in Christ,

Picture a young man growing up in a land where Christianity was outlawed, where professing Christ meant risking prison or death. This was the world of Andrew Kim Taegon, born in 1821 in Korea to a family of faithful Catholic converts. His father and grandfather were martyred for their faith, planting in Andrew a deep resolve to follow Christ no matter the cost.

At age 15, Andrew was baptized, and not long after, he was sent on a dangerous journey across the sea to Macau to study for the priesthood. He would become the first native Korean Catholic priest—an extraordinary sign of hope for a Church forced into hiding. Ordained in Shanghai in 1844, Andrew returned to his homeland to minister in secret. He celebrated Mass quietly in the homes of the faithful, baptized converts, and worked tirelessly to open safe routes for missionaries to enter the country.

In 1846, at just 25 years old, Andrew was captured while guiding missionaries across the border. He was tortured and interrogated, yet he refused to deny Christ. On September 16, he was beheaded near Seoul, courageously proclaiming, “This is the time for me to show you with my life how much I love my God.”

The 19th century was a time of massive change for the Church and the world. The Church was still reeling from the French Revolution’s suppression of religion, yet missionary zeal was surging. Pope Gregory XVI (1831–1846) was encouraging missions worldwide, sending priests and bishops to Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Meanwhile, Korea remained a closed society under the Joseon dynasty, enforcing strict Confucian laws and banning foreign influence, including Christianity. Converts met secretly in homes, sometimes led by lay catechists since there were so few priests. The courage of Andrew Kim and his companions connected Korea to the wider Catholic world, proving that the faith could take root in any culture—even one that sought to eradicate it.

Globally, this was also the age of industrialization, new trade routes, and Western expansion. Korea’s martyrs stood as a countercultural witness, reminding the world that progress without faith cannot satisfy the human heart.

St. Andrew Kim’s life challenges us to ask: How far am I willing to go for my faith? In a world that often pressures us to stay silent about Christ, his example calls us to boldness and fidelity, even if it costs us comfort or reputation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
through the intercession of St. Andrew Kim Taegon and the Korean martyrs, give us courage to live our faith with joy and perseverance. May we never be ashamed of Your name, but proclaim it boldly until the end. Amen.