Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn

Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn was born on August 21, 1821, in Korea, into the aristocratic Gimhae Kim clan. Raised in a time when Christianity was forbidden under the Confucian Joseon order, he grew up in a family of courageous converts; his father and other relatives would be martyred for the faith. Baptized at fifteen, Andrew left his homeland to prepare for the priesthood, studying first in Macau and also spending time in the Philippines, where he is still lovingly honored. After nine years of formation, he was ordained a priest in Shanghai in 1844, becoming Korea’s first native Catholic priest. He returned quietly to Korea to serve the hidden Church, preaching the Gospel and helping sustain persecuted believers. Arrested during the harsh suppression of Catholics, he endured torture with steadfast faith and was beheaded near Seoul on the Han River on September 16, 1846, at only twenty-five years old. Canonized in 1984 among the Korean Martyrs, he is patron of Korea and the Korean clergy. His feast day is September 20.