103 Korean Martyrs

103 Korean Martyrs

Ages 13-72, men & women, 11 Priests & 92 Laypeople
Died: between 1829 & 1866
Feast Day: 20^th September
Born: Korea
Christianity in Korea started when Yi Sung-hun began to study Christian doctrine and was eventually baptized and given the name Peter in 1784. Two priests from China arrived in Korea for a short period to help with the growing church.  Koreans were persecuted repeatedly, rejected by their families and suffered the loss of status and human dignity.
It was another 40 years before missionary were sent although persecution continued until 1886 when religious liberty was granted.  More than 10,000 martyrs died in the persecutions that lasted over 100 years. 79 were beatified in 1925 who had been persecuted in 1829, 1846 & 1866. 24 more were beatified in 1968.  These were canonised on May 6^th by John Paul II.

Reference: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document/canonization-of-103-korean-martyrs-697