St. Andrew Kim Taegon
Feast 09-20 · Canonized 1984
Patron of
About
Andrew Kim Taegon was born in 1821 into a Korean Catholic family during a time of fierce persecution. He was the first native Korean priest, ordained in Shanghai in 1845 after studying in Macau.
He returned to Korea to minister in secret, but was arrested in 1846 and beheaded near Seoul at the age of twenty-five. His father, Ignatius Kim, had been martyred years earlier.
He was canonized in 1984 by Pope John Paul II along with 102 other Korean martyrs, and is venerated as a patron of the Korean clergy.
Prayer
Lord, who strengthened Andrew Kim Taegon to return to Korea and minister in secret until he was beheaded at twenty-five, grant through his intercession that priests and all who suffer for the faith may remain faithful unto death. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.