The Martyrs Of Korea:
Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, Paul Chong Hasang, And Companions
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and his companions, the first Korean priest and the many martyrs who gave their lives for the faith. Their witness reminds us that the Word of God, when received with an open heart, bears fruit even in times of trial. In the first reading (1 Tim 6:13-16), St. Paul exhorts us to keep the commandment faithfully until the Lord’s coming, while the Gospel (Lk 8:4-15) tells the parable of the sower, calling us to be good soil where God’s Word can take root and flourish. Today, we are invited to let faith grow deep within us, strengthened by the example of the martyrs.
Much of the earlier history of Christianity in Korea is marked with persecution. A group of laypeople brought Christianity to Korea in the 17th century. Those persecuted unto death for their faith were mostly lay persons, though among these men and women we have also bishops and priests. The saints of today number one priest among them, Andrew Kim of Tae-gon, and a lay apostle, Paul Chong of Hasang.
Opening Prayer
Our Lord and God,
the Church of Korea was much marked
with the saving cross of Jesus
and today we honor her martyrs,
Andrew Kim, Paul Chong and their many companions.
May the saving cross of Jesus and of his martyrs
liberate us from our selfishness
and from fear and sin and death.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
we bring these humble gifts before you.
In these signs of bread and wine
Jesus, your Son, will give himself to us.
May he give us the strength
to go with courage on our journey through life,
also when it becomes a way of the cross,
that we may follow him all the way
to you, our loving God for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Our dear and loving God,
we have been with Jesus at his table.
May we be united with him also
on his way to you and to people.
May he follow him wherever he leads us
in dark days as well as in days of joy
and send us wherever people need us
to bring them your liberating word
and your helping hand,
also when it costs us pain and effort.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.