10/06/2026
He and 102 other Korean martyrs were canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984. St. Andrew Kim Taegon is the patron saint of Korean clergy and a powerful example of courage and apostolic zeal for the whole Church. His feast day is celebrated on September 20 together with St. Paul Chong Hasang and Companions.
Even in the face of death, his love for Christ and the Church shone brightly—reminding us that the Blood of Martyrs is the seed of Christians. Whether facing trials in daily life, family opposition, or cultural pressures, his story calls us to persevere.
St. Andrew Kim Taegon, pray for us! 🙏
Born on August 21, 1821, in Korea, St. Andrew Kim Taegon came from a family that had embraced the Catholic faith despite fierce persecution under the Joseon Dynasty. His own father was martyred for the faith. At age 15, Andrew was baptized and felt the call to priesthood.
He endured incredible hardships—traveling over 1,300 miles to study in Macau, China, and even spending time in the Philippines—before being ordained in Shanghai in 1845 as the first native Korean Catholic priest at just 24 years old.
Returning to Korea, he secretly ministered to scattered Catholics, risking his life to smuggle in more missionaries. Betrayed and arrested in 1846, he was brutally tortured but remained steadfast. At only 25 years old, he was beheaded on the banks of the Han River near Seoul on September 16, 1846.
In his final words, St. Andrew declared:
“This is my last hour of life... It is for [God] that I die. My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death...”
He and 102 other Korean martyrs were canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984. St. Andrew Kim Taegon is the patron saint of Korean clergy and a powerful example of courage and apostolic zeal for the whole Church. His feast day is celebrated on September 20 together with St. Paul Chong Hasang and Companions.
Even in the face of death, his love for Christ and the Church shone brightly—reminding us that the Blood of Martyrs is the seed of Christians. Whether facing trials in daily life, family opposition, or cultural pressures, his story calls us to persevere.
St. Andrew Kim Taegon, pray for us! 🙏
