Remembering the Korean martyrs

Remembering the Korean martyrs
 
Today we celebrate St Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and 2,000 other Korean women and men who were martyred for their faith during the Josean dynasty in the 1840's. Andrew Kim was born of converts in 1821 and his father was martyred for his faith. Andrew was sent to study in Macao and the Philippines and was ordained in Shanghai as the first Korean priest. He returned to evangelize in Korea but after two years he was tortured and beheaded, when he was only 25 years old. Today's gospel exhorts us to let our faith shine like a light so that others will come to know Jesus. The Korean martyrs certainly let their faith shine and were not afraid to die for it. Let us pray this prayer dedicated to them today, so that the Korean church will be blessed and that our faith will be strengthened.  ''O God, you have created all nations and you are their salvation. In the land of Korea, your call to the Catholic faith formed a people of adoption, whose growth you nurtured by the blood of Andrew, Paul and companions. Through their martyrdom and intercession, grant us strength to remain faithful to your commandments even until death, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.''
 
Don Hornsey