Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and Companions
First Korean priest and 102 companions martyred for their Catholic faith in Korea.
Patronage
Korea, Korean Catholics, missionaries, martyrs
Virtues & Traits
Biography
Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn (1821-1846) was the first Korean-born Catholic priest and a central figure in the Korean Catholic Church's early development. Born into a Catholic family during a period of severe persecution, he received seminary training in Macao before returning to Korea to minister secretly. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the faith community despite constant danger from hostile authorities. Andrew was arrested, tortured, and executed by beheading in 1846 at age 25. His feast commemorates him alongside 102 Korean Catholic martyrs—priests, religious, and lay faithful—who died between 1791 and 1888. These companions represent the broader Korean Catholic martyrdom movement, including notable figures like Peter Cho Shin and other priests and lay leaders. Their collective sacrifice transformed Korean Catholicism into a vibrant, indigenous faith community. The 103 martyrs were canonized together in 1984, the first Korean-born saint canonized by the Catholic Church.
Prayer
Prayer to St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and Companions
O God, who didst strengthen the blessed martyrs Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and his Companions with the grace of constancy in faith and the courage to shed their blood for Christ, grant us, we beseech thee, that we may follow their example of fidelity and devotion. May their intercession obtain for us the grace to remain steadfast in our Catholic faith and to witness boldly to the Gospel in our own time. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Generated by Find My Saint for personal reflection. Not an official Church prayer.