Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-Gon, Paul Chong Ha-Sang and Companions
Feast day: September 20
Tae-gon was among the 103 Korean martyrs — 92 Koreans and 11 Europeans — killed during a persecution in 1839-66. Born to parents who were Catholic converts, Andrew completed seminary studies and in 1844 was the first native Korean to become a Catholic priest with his ordination in Shanghai. He returned to Korea, where he tried to smuggle more missionaries into the country but was arrested. He spent three months in prison, then was beheaded. His father was also among the Korean martyrs. Paul Chong Ha-sang, a lay catechist, was another Christian martyred during the persecution. The Korean martyrs were canonized in 1984.
Collect
O God, who have been pleased to increase
your adopted children in all the world,
and who made the blood of the Martyrs
Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon and his companions
a most fruitful seed of Christians,
grant that we may be defended by their help
and profit always from their example.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
