Kim Taegon, Andrew

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:''This article is about the Korean saint. For the MLB player see [[Kim Andrew]].''
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{{epname|Kim Taegon, Andrew}}
 
{{Infobox Saint
 
{{Infobox Saint
 
|name= Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
 
|name= Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
 
|birth_date= {{birth date|1821|8|21|mf=y}}
 
|birth_date= {{birth date|1821|8|21|mf=y}}
 
|death_date= {{death date and age|1846|9|16|1821|8|21|mf=y}}
 
|death_date= {{death date and age|1846|9|16|1821|8|21|mf=y}}
|feast_day= [[September 20|20 September]] (Roman calendar)
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|feast_day= 20 September (Roman calendar)
 
|venerated_in= [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]]
 
|venerated_in= [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]]
|image= Saintandrewkim.jpg
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|image= Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn.jpg
 
|imagesize= 200px
 
|imagesize= 200px
 
|caption= Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon
 
|caption= Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon
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|death_place=
 
|death_place=
 
|titles=
 
|titles=
|beatified_date= [[1925]]
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|beatified_date= 1925
 
|beatified_place=
 
|beatified_place=
 
|beatified_by=
 
|beatified_by=
|canonized_date= [[May 6|6 May]] [[1984]]
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|canonized_date= 6 May 1984
 
|canonized_place=
 
|canonized_place=
 
|canonized_by= Pope [[John Paul II]]
 
|canonized_by= Pope [[John Paul II]]
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|prayer_attrib=
 
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}}
 
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'''Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon''' is known as [[Korea]]'s first [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] priest.
 
  
During the 1592 invasion of Korea by Japan, Japanese soldiers introduced Christianity into Korea by baptizing Koreans. A Japanese commander, Konishi Yukinaga, took a Korean girl, Julia Ota-a to Japan and she became one of the first Korean Christians. Father Gregorious de Cespedes, a Jesuit priest, visited Konishi in Korea in 1593. Korean diplomat, Yi Gwang-jeong returned to Korea from Beijing bearing several theological books written by Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest living in China. Some two centuries later, members of the Silhak (practical learning) school were drawn to Christian thought because it advocated a social structure based upon merit rather than birth rank. Most early Christians had family ties to the Silhak school.  
+
'''Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon''' is known as [[Korea]]'s first [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] priest. Born into a family of [[Christian]] converts at a time of unprecedented governmental opposition to [[Christianity in Korea|Christianity]] (Christian teachings threatened the hierarchical system of [[Confucianism]] and ancestor worship), Kim and his family led lives of deprivation and hardship. Although there were repeated efforts made by the Korean monarchy (who feared European colonization of Korea through Christianity), to uproot the religion of the barbarian foreigners from 1794 to 1866, converts to Christianity continued to increase.
 +
{{toc}}
 +
Even though Kim's family members and eventually Kim himself would suffer persecution, torture and eventual [[Korean Martyrs|martyrdom]] under the repressive Korean monarchy, as it desperately tried to preserve itself and Korea's Confucian culture by eradicating Christianity; the sacrifice of these early Korean Christians became the foundation for the Christian Church in Korea to flourish today. Andrew Kim Taegon is revered today for his sacrifice and dedication in bringing Christianity to Korea.
 +
 +
==Early Catholic Church In Korea==
 +
During the 1592 invasion of [[Korea]] by [[Japan]], Japanese soldiers introduced Christianity into Korea by baptizing Koreans. A Japanese commander, Konishi Yukinaga, took a Korean girl, Julia Ota-a to Japan and she became one of the first Korean Christians. Father Gregorious de Cespedes, a Jesuit priest, visited Konishi in Korea in 1593. Korean diplomat, Yi Gwang-jeong returned to Korea from Beijing bearing several theological books written by Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest living in [[China]]. Some two centuries later, members of the Silhak (practical learning) school were drawn to Christian thought because it advocated a social structure based upon merit rather than birth rank. Most early Christians had family ties to the Silhak school.
  
During the late Joseon Dynasty and under its Confucian influence, Christianity was heavily suppressed and many Christians were persecuted and executed. Kim Taegon was born into this environment, and just one of several thousands of Catholic, Presbyterian, or Methodist Christians who were tortured and executed because of their faith during this time. In 1866, Regent Heungseon Daewongun (father of King Gojong) signed a decree to execute all Catholics. Over 2,000 Catholics were executed at Jeoldusan, "Beheading Hill." Their bodies were thrown into the Han River. Fewer than 40 were identified.  
+
During the late Joseon Dynasty and under its Confucian influence, Christianity was heavily suppressed and many Christians were persecuted and executed. Kim Taegon was born into this environment, and just one of several thousands of Catholic, Presbyterian, or Methodist Christians who were tortured and executed because of their faith during this time. In 1866, Regent Heungseon [[Daewongun]] (father of King Gojong) signed a decree to execute all Catholics. Over 2,000 Catholics were beheaded at Jeoldusan, "Beheading Hill." Their bodies were thrown into the Han River. Some were as young as 13. Fewer than 40 were identified.<ref>Robinson, Martin, Andrew Bender, and Rob Whyte. 2004. ''Korea''. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781740594493</ref>
  
At this time, Korea was isolated from the world; the only outside contact being with Peking, where taxes were paid. Jesuits in China managed to smuggle Christian literature into Korea. When Korea saw its first missionaries arrive from France and America in the mid 1800's, several thousand Koreans were already practicing Christianity.
+
At this time, Korea was isolated from the world; the only outside contact being with Peking, where taxes were paid. Jesuits in China managed to smuggle Christian literature into Korea. When Korea saw its first missionaries arrive from [[France]] and America in the mid 1800s, several thousand Koreans were already practicing Christianity.
  
Andrew Kim Taegon was born in in Nol-Mae (Solmoe), Chu’ung-Chong Province (in South Central Korea. Kim’s great-grandfather, Kim Jin-Hu was martyred in 1814. Kim’s grand-uncle, Kim Han-hyun was also martyred in 1816. Kim’s father, Kim Je-jun (Ignatius Kim), was subsequently martyred in 1839 for practicing Christianity. With so many male relatives martyred, Kim grew up very poor; his mother reduced to begging.  
+
==Kim Family==
 +
Andrew Kim Taegon was born in Nol-Mae (Solmoe), Chu’ung-Chong Province (in South Central Korea. At the age of seven, the Kim family moved to Golbaemasil Mankok-ri, Youngin-gun County (Mirinae) Kyungki Province. Kim’s great-grandfather, Kim Jin-Hu was martyred in 1814. Kim’s grand-uncle, Kim Han-hyun was also martyred in 1816. Kim’s father, Kim Je-jun (Ignatius Kim), was subsequently martyred in 1839 for practicing Christianity.<ref>[http://www.najumary.org/catholic/history_2.html NajuMary] Retrieved December 22, 2007.</ref> With so many male relatives martyred, Kim grew up very poor; his mother reduced to begging.
  
After being Baptized at the age of 15, Kim traveled over 1200 miles in 1836 to study at a seminary in the Portuguese Colony of Macau, China. He returned to Korea through Manchuria. That same year, he crossed the Yellow Sea to Shanghai, where he was ordained a priest in 1845 by the French Bishop, Jean Ferréol. He then returned to Korea to preach and evangelize. These grueling trips between China and Korea, on foot and by small fishing vessels, allowed Kim to explore the terrain and increase the accuracy of the maps he had been using and to plan better routes for the French missionaries to infiltrate Korea.
+
==Ordination and Mission Work==
 +
After being baptized at the age of 15, Kim traveled over 1200 miles in 1836 to study at a seminary in the Portuguese Colony of Macau, China. He returned to Korea through Manchuria. That same year, he crossed the Yellow Sea to Shanghai, where he was ordained a priest in 1845 by the French Bishop, Jean Ferréol. He then returned to Korea to preach and evangelize. These grueling trips between China and Korea, on foot and by small unworthy fishing vessels, allowed Kim to explore the terrain and increase the accuracy of the maps he had been using to plan better routes for the French missionaries to infiltrate Korea.
  
[[Image:Example.jpg]]
+
[[Image:1846ca1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Handwritten map by Father Andre Kim (Kim Tae Gon, the first Korean Catholic priest, who managed to make this map in the short time he had to travel and work in Korea, before he was executed, 1846.)]]
Handwritten map by Father Andre Kim (Kim Tae Gon, the first Korean Catholic priest, who was executed because of his religion, but managed to make this map in the short time he was in Korea, 1846) (876 Kb)
 
http://www.cartography.henny-savenije.pe.kr/quality/index.htm
 
  
In June of 1846, while trying to arrange for passage for additional missionaries to enter Korea by boat along the southeast coast, Kim was arrested by the border patrol. While imprisoned and awaiting his fate, Andrew Kim Taegon wrote to his parish:  
+
==Imprisonment==
 +
In June of 1846, while trying to arrange for passage for additional missionaries to enter Korea by boat along the southeast coast, Kim was arrested by the border patrol. While imprisoned and awaiting his fate, Andrew Kim Taegon wrote to his parish:  
  
"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....  
+
:"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 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 who am I myself, have been thrown into prison. Just as you also remain in the midst of persecution. 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.
Now, however, some fifty or sixty years since 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 who am I myself, have been thrown into prison. Just as you also remain in the midst of persecution. 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.  
 
  
On September 26, at the age of 25, Kim was tortured and beheaded near Seoul on the Han River. A group of Christians led, by Yi Min-Sik, later moved his body to Mt. Mi-ri-nai, about 35 miles from Seoul.
+
==Execution==
 +
On September 26, at the age of 25, Kim was tortured and beheaded near Seoul on the Han River. His ears were pierced with arrows; his face covered with lime.<ref>Joly, Léon. 1907. Le Christianisme et l'extrême Orient: Missions Catholiques de l’Inde, de L’Indo-Chine, de la Chine, de la Corée. Paris: P. Lethielleux. OCLC: 38445976
 +
</ref>
 +
A group of Christians led, by Yi Min-Sik, later moved his body to Mt. Mi-ri-nai, about 35 miles from Seoul.
  
When Father Ferréol died from exhaustion in 1853, he wanted to be buried beside Andrew Kim, stating: “You will never know how sad I was to lose this young native priest. I have loved him as a father loved his son; it is a consolation for me to think of his eternal happiness.”
+
Before Father Jean Joseph Ferréol, the first Bishop of Korea, died from exhaustion on the third of February in 1853, he wanted to be buried beside Andrew Kim, stating: “You will never know how sad I was to lose this young native priest. I have loved him as a father loved his son; it is a consolation for me to think of his eternal happiness.”
  
Both Andrew Kim and his father, Ignatius Kim, were beatified on July 25, 1925. In 1949 the Holy See named Andrew Kim Taegon the principal patron of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Korea. On May 6, 1984 Pope John Paul II canonized Andrew Kim Taegon along with 102 other martyrs, including Paul Chong Hasang.  
+
==Beatification and Canonization==
 +
Both Andrew Kim and his father, Ignatius Kim, were beatified on July 25, 1925. In 1949 the Holy See named Andrew Kim Taegon the principal patron of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Korea. On May 6, 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized Andrew Kim Taegon along with 102 other martyrs, including Paul Chong Hasang.  
  
In an unprecedented visit to Korea, on May 6, 1984 [[Pope]] [[John Paul II]] [[Canonization|canonized]] Andrew Kim Taegon along with 102 other [[Korean Martyrs|martyrs]], including [[Paul Chong Hasang]]. At the canonization, Pope John Paul II said:  
+
[[Pope]] [[John Paul II]]'s 1984 [[Canonization|canonization]] of Andrew Kim Taegon and the other Korean martyrs was the first time the pontiff had held a canonization mass outside the vatican. At the canonization, Pope John Paul II 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 Christian in the Church of silence in the north of this tragically divided land."
+
:"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 Christian in the Church of silence in the north of this tragically divided land."<ref>[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1144 Saint of the Day] Retrieved December 22, 2007.</ref>
  
Kim's feast day is on September 20.
+
===Feast Day===
 +
September 20 is the feast day for Andrew Kim Taegon, [[Paul Chong Hasang]], and the rest of the 102 [[Korean Martyrs|Korean martyrs]] canonized on May 6, 1984.
  
 +
===Honoring Kim===
 
There are a number of Catholic Churches and schools throughout the world named in honor of Saint Andrew Kim; even a Credit Union in New Jersey.  
 
There are a number of Catholic Churches and schools throughout the world named in honor of Saint Andrew Kim; even a Credit Union in New Jersey.  
  
 
Macau's famous [[Camoes Park]] (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life. Macau's famous Camoes Park (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life.
 
Macau's famous [[Camoes Park]] (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life. Macau's famous Camoes Park (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life.
 
Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions; Gerald Harry Anderson; p. 364.
 
Korea’s Martyr-Patron, American Ecclesiastical Review 137 (1957; pp 33-0341.
 
MLA style:
 
"Kim Dae-gon, Saint." Encyclopædia Britannica.  2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.  2  Nov.  2007  <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9045454>.
 
APA style:
 
 
Kim Dae-gon, Saint. (  2007). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved  November  2,  2007, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9045454
 
 
 
Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions by Gerald Harry Anderson
 
http://books.google.com/books?id=oQ8BFk9K0ToC&pg=PA364&lpg=PA364&dq=%22ch+ung%22+andrew+kim&source=web&ots=_43dfNgt90&sig=wlSIhWJoXJ4ETl4EB9Vif1-uIQM
 
 
 
[edit] See also
 
Christianity in Korea
 
Korean Martyrs
 
Roman Catholicism in Korea
 
The First Korean Priest http://magnificat.ca/cal/engl/09-16b.htm
 
 
[edit] External links
 
Patron Saints Index: St. Andrew Kim
 
Facts about St. Andrew Kim
 
Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and his Companions
 
 
Catholicism in Korea http://english.tour2korea.com/03Sightseeing/TravelSpot/travelspot_read.asp?oid=3267&kosm=m3_8
 
 
Photos of the Shrine of St. Andrew Kim Taegon
 
Villa Modesta
 
Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan
 
Philippines
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robby_dela_vega/sets/72157602976483156/with/1898891961/
 
 
St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church Web Site
 
http://www.standrewkim.org/modules/main.php?top_id=1&grp_id=1
 
 
Map that Kim drew:
 
http://www.cartography.henny-savenije.pe.kr/quality/index.htm
 
 
Map Caption: This map was handmade made by André Kim or Kim Tae Gon. The map is archived in the Département des Cartes et Plans, Bibliothèque Nationale de France (reference number: Ge C 10622).
 
 
Naju, Korea: http://www.najumary.org/catholic/history_2html
 
 
 
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Christianity in Korea]]
 
*[[Christianity in Korea]]
 
*[[Korean Martyrs]]
 
*[[Korean Martyrs]]
*[[Roman Catholicism in Korea]]
+
*[[Religion in Korea]]
 +
*[[List of Korea-related topics]]
  
==External links==
+
==Notes==
*[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=20 Patron Saints Index: St. Andrew Kim]
+
<references/>
*[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta54.htm Facts about St. Andrew Kim]
 
*[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1144 Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and his Companions]
 
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9045454/Saint-Kim-Dae-gon  Encyclopedia Britannica entry]
 
  
{{credits|167198446}}
+
==References==
On May 6, 1984 [[Pope]] [[John Paul II]] [[Canonization|canonized]] Andrew Kim Taegon along with 102 other [[Korean Martyrs|martyrs]], including [[Paul Chong Hasang]]. His feast day is on September 20.
+
*Anderson, Gerald H. 1998. ''Biographical dictionary of Christian missions''. New York: Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 9780802846808
 +
*Kim, Chang-seok Thaddeus, and Choong-woo Andreas Lee. 1986. ''Holy places of the Korean martyrs''. Seoul: Lay Apostolate Council of Korea. OCLC: 50093397
 +
*Shortland, John Rutherford. 1869. The Corean martyrs a narrative. London: Burns, Oates. OCLC: 153102261
  
Macau's famous [[Camoes Park]] (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life. 
+
==External links==
 +
All links retrieved June 19, 2021.
  
==See also==
+
*[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=20 Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions]
*[[Christianity in Korea]]
+
*[http://www.cartography.henny-savenije.pe.kr/quality/index.htm Handwritten map by Father Andrew Kim]
*[[Korean Martyrs]]
 
*[[Roman Catholicism in Korea]]
 
  
==External links==
+
[[Category:Korea]]
*[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=20 Patron Saints Index: St. Andrew Kim]
+
[[category:religion]]
*[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta54.htm Facts about St. Andrew Kim]
+
[[category:biography]]
*[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1144 Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and his Companions]
 
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9045454/Saint-Kim-Dae-gon  Encyclopedia Britannica entry]
 
  
 
{{credits|167198446}}
 
{{credits|167198446}}
 
 
 
 
Encyclopedia Britannica entry
 
  This article about a saint is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 
 
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Kim_Taegon"
 
Categories: Saint stubs | 1821 births | 1846 deaths | Catholic martyrs of Modern Times | Korean Roman Catholic priests | Korean saints | Martyred Roman Catholic priests
 
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Revision as of 07:32, 19 June 2021

Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn.jpg

Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon
Born August 21 1821(1821-08-21)
Died September 16 1846 (aged 25)
Venerated in Catholic Church
Beatified 1925
Canonized 6 May 1984

by Pope John Paul II

Major shrine Chŏltusan (Martyr's Mound), Seoul, South Korea
Feast 20 September (Roman calendar)
Patronage Korean Clergy

Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon is known as Korea's first Roman Catholic priest. Born into a family of Christian converts at a time of unprecedented governmental opposition to Christianity (Christian teachings threatened the hierarchical system of Confucianism and ancestor worship), Kim and his family led lives of deprivation and hardship. Although there were repeated efforts made by the Korean monarchy (who feared European colonization of Korea through Christianity), to uproot the religion of the barbarian foreigners from 1794 to 1866, converts to Christianity continued to increase.

Even though Kim's family members and eventually Kim himself would suffer persecution, torture and eventual martyrdom under the repressive Korean monarchy, as it desperately tried to preserve itself and Korea's Confucian culture by eradicating Christianity; the sacrifice of these early Korean Christians became the foundation for the Christian Church in Korea to flourish today. Andrew Kim Taegon is revered today for his sacrifice and dedication in bringing Christianity to Korea.

Early Catholic Church In Korea

During the 1592 invasion of Korea by Japan, Japanese soldiers introduced Christianity into Korea by baptizing Koreans. A Japanese commander, Konishi Yukinaga, took a Korean girl, Julia Ota-a to Japan and she became one of the first Korean Christians. Father Gregorious de Cespedes, a Jesuit priest, visited Konishi in Korea in 1593. Korean diplomat, Yi Gwang-jeong returned to Korea from Beijing bearing several theological books written by Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest living in China. Some two centuries later, members of the Silhak (practical learning) school were drawn to Christian thought because it advocated a social structure based upon merit rather than birth rank. Most early Christians had family ties to the Silhak school.

During the late Joseon Dynasty and under its Confucian influence, Christianity was heavily suppressed and many Christians were persecuted and executed. Kim Taegon was born into this environment, and just one of several thousands of Catholic, Presbyterian, or Methodist Christians who were tortured and executed because of their faith during this time. In 1866, Regent Heungseon Daewongun (father of King Gojong) signed a decree to execute all Catholics. Over 2,000 Catholics were beheaded at Jeoldusan, "Beheading Hill." Their bodies were thrown into the Han River. Some were as young as 13. Fewer than 40 were identified.[1]

At this time, Korea was isolated from the world; the only outside contact being with Peking, where taxes were paid. Jesuits in China managed to smuggle Christian literature into Korea. When Korea saw its first missionaries arrive from France and America in the mid 1800s, several thousand Koreans were already practicing Christianity.

Kim Family

Andrew Kim Taegon was born in Nol-Mae (Solmoe), Chu’ung-Chong Province (in South Central Korea. At the age of seven, the Kim family moved to Golbaemasil Mankok-ri, Youngin-gun County (Mirinae) Kyungki Province. Kim’s great-grandfather, Kim Jin-Hu was martyred in 1814. Kim’s grand-uncle, Kim Han-hyun was also martyred in 1816. Kim’s father, Kim Je-jun (Ignatius Kim), was subsequently martyred in 1839 for practicing Christianity.[2] With so many male relatives martyred, Kim grew up very poor; his mother reduced to begging.

Ordination and Mission Work

After being baptized at the age of 15, Kim traveled over 1200 miles in 1836 to study at a seminary in the Portuguese Colony of Macau, China. He returned to Korea through Manchuria. That same year, he crossed the Yellow Sea to Shanghai, where he was ordained a priest in 1845 by the French Bishop, Jean Ferréol. He then returned to Korea to preach and evangelize. These grueling trips between China and Korea, on foot and by small unworthy fishing vessels, allowed Kim to explore the terrain and increase the accuracy of the maps he had been using to plan better routes for the French missionaries to infiltrate Korea.

Handwritten map by Father Andre Kim (Kim Tae Gon, the first Korean Catholic priest, who managed to make this map in the short time he had to travel and work in Korea, before he was executed, 1846.)

Imprisonment

In June of 1846, while trying to arrange for passage for additional missionaries to enter Korea by boat along the southeast coast, Kim was arrested by the border patrol. While imprisoned and awaiting his fate, Andrew Kim Taegon wrote to his parish:

"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 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 who am I myself, have been thrown into prison. Just as you also remain in the midst of persecution. 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.

Execution

On September 26, at the age of 25, Kim was tortured and beheaded near Seoul on the Han River. His ears were pierced with arrows; his face covered with lime.[3] A group of Christians led, by Yi Min-Sik, later moved his body to Mt. Mi-ri-nai, about 35 miles from Seoul.

Before Father Jean Joseph Ferréol, the first Bishop of Korea, died from exhaustion on the third of February in 1853, he wanted to be buried beside Andrew Kim, stating: “You will never know how sad I was to lose this young native priest. I have loved him as a father loved his son; it is a consolation for me to think of his eternal happiness.”

Beatification and Canonization

Both Andrew Kim and his father, Ignatius Kim, were beatified on July 25, 1925. In 1949 the Holy See named Andrew Kim Taegon the principal patron of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Korea. On May 6, 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized Andrew Kim Taegon along with 102 other martyrs, including Paul Chong Hasang.

Pope John Paul II's 1984 canonization of Andrew Kim Taegon and the other Korean martyrs was the first time the pontiff had held a canonization mass outside the vatican. At the canonization, Pope John Paul II 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 Christian in the Church of silence in the north of this tragically divided land."[4]

Feast Day

September 20 is the feast day for Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and the rest of the 102 Korean martyrs canonized on May 6, 1984.

Honoring Kim

There are a number of Catholic Churches and schools throughout the world named in honor of Saint Andrew Kim; even a Credit Union in New Jersey.

Macau's famous Camoes Park (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life. Macau's famous Camoes Park (in Portuguese, Jardim Luis de Camoes) contains a statue dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon. A plaque below it contains dates and events depicting major milestones in his life.

See also

Notes

  1. Robinson, Martin, Andrew Bender, and Rob Whyte. 2004. Korea. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781740594493
  2. NajuMary Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  3. Joly, Léon. 1907. Le Christianisme et l'extrême Orient: Missions Catholiques de l’Inde, de L’Indo-Chine, de la Chine, de la Corée. Paris: P. Lethielleux. OCLC: 38445976
  4. Saint of the Day Retrieved December 22, 2007.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Anderson, Gerald H. 1998. Biographical dictionary of Christian missions. New York: Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 9780802846808
  • Kim, Chang-seok Thaddeus, and Choong-woo Andreas Lee. 1986. Holy places of the Korean martyrs. Seoul: Lay Apostolate Council of Korea. OCLC: 50093397
  • Shortland, John Rutherford. 1869. The Corean martyrs a narrative. London: Burns, Oates. OCLC: 153102261

External links

All links retrieved June 19, 2021.

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