Saint Barbara Choe Yong-i
A young Korean laywoman beheaded in 1840 at about twenty
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Martyr, Layperson
- Life
- 1819 – 1840
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 20 September
- Countries
- South Korea
Life story
Barbara Choe Yong-i was born in 1819 in Seoul and was a layperson. The sources consulted say very little about her private life. Little more can be said about her with confidence.
The Gihae persecution, which began in 1839, brought many Korean Catholics before the courts. Christianity was forbidden by the state, so believers met in secret. In 1840 she was arrested and brought before a court that tried to make her renounce her faith. According to one source, she refused even under torture. She was sentenced to death and beheaded on 1 February 1840 at Dangkogae in Seoul. She was about twenty years old at the time.
She was beatified by Pope Pius XI on 5 July 1925 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on 6 May 1984 in Seoul, together with 102 other Korean martyrs. The Korean martyrs are celebrated together on 20 September. What is certain about her is mostly the milestones above.
Works and witness
- Born in 1819 in Seoul, a layperson
- Arrested in 1840 and brought to court to make her renounce the faith
- Beheaded on 1 February 1840 at Dangkogae, Seoul
- Beatified on 5 July 1925
- Canonized on 6 May 1984 with 102 other Korean martyrs
Saints from the same country
References
- GCatholic.org, saints database entry 'Saint Barbara Ch'oe Yŏng-i' (gcatholic.org/saints/data/saints-B.htm)
- Catholic Shop biography page 'St. Barbara Ch'oe Yong-i' (catholicshop.com)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.