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Saint Paul Chong Hasang

Korean layman who travelled to Beijing for priests and was executed in 1839

Rank
Saint
Kind
Martyr, Layperson
Life
1795 – 1839
Era
19th century
Feast
20 September
Countries
South Korea
South Korea

Life story

Paul Chong Hasang was born around 1794 to 1795, the son of Augustine Chong Yakjong, a Catholic scholar executed in the Shinyu persecution of 1801. After that persecution he helped gather the scattered believers and pursued the aim of getting the bishop of Beijing to send priests to Korea.

From 1816 he travelled to China as a servant in the Korean envoys' retinue, and the sources say he reached Beijing nine times. In the 1820s he also took part in a letter to the pope asking for help for the Korean faithful. In 1831 Pope Gregory XVI set up a vicariate for Korea. When Bishop Imbert arrived, Paul studied Latin and theology with him but had not yet been ordained.

When the Gihae persecution broke out in 1839 he was arrested and wrote a defence of Catholicism addressed to a senior minister, arguing that the religion did no harm to the country. The records say he told the judge he was a Christian and would remain one until death. He was executed on 22 September 1839 near the Small West Gate of Seoul; his mother died in prison and his sister was martyred soon after. He was beatified on 6 June 1925 and canonized on 6 May 1984.

Works and witness

  • Went to Beijing nine times as a servant in the envoys' retinue to seek priests for Korea
  • Joined in a letter asking the pope to help the Korean Church
  • Studied Latin and theology under Bishop Imbert but was not ordained
  • Wrote a defence of Catholicism to a senior minister in 1839
  • Executed in Seoul on 22 September 1839

Saints from the same country

The 103 Martyrs of Korea, Saint John Yi Yun-il, Saint Barbara Choe Yong-i, Saint Agatha Kwon Chin-i

References

  • Catholic Culture, “Stories of the Korean Martyrs” (Paul Chong Hasang, 1795–1839, entered China as a servant to the envoys, died 22 September 1839 at the Small West Gate, Seoul)
  • Encyclopedia.com, “Korea, Martyrs of, Ss.” (New Catholic Encyclopedia) – seminarian and catechist, died 22 September 1839 aged 45; the method of execution is reported differently in the sources and is not stated here

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.