A Christian martyr is someone who willingly suffers persecution and death for their faith in Jesus Christ. Our Church celebrates the feast of the Korean martyrs, St Andrew Kim and his companions – a day to reflect on their courageous faith in the face of adversity. These faithful men and women were captured, tortured and gave their lives for Christ. May their boldness inspire us to proclaim our faith with courage and keep our eyes fixed on heavenly glory. Join Fr Minje in prayer as we honour their witness.
Transcript
English
Our Church celebrates the feast of Saint Andrew Kim and his companions on the 20th of September, a day when we reflect on the willingness to follow Jesus even in the midst of adversity. The Korean martyrs suffered greatly during the persecutions of the 1800s, when Korea rejected Western influence, including Christianity. Those who professed the Catholic faith were captured, tortured, and martyred. But, when they faced martyrdom, their gaze was not fixed on their suffering, but on where they were going, to the heavenly glory prepared for them in the mercy of our Lord. In the end, Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and 102 companions were canonised in 1984 by Pope John Paul II. Their witness shows us clearly what true martyrdom is, to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord at all times. We, too, have our own challenges and weaknesses. But the martyrs remind us to keep seeking Jesus, who draws us into His Sacred Heart. This is the martyrdom of our own time, to endure trials with faith, keeping our eyes on the eternal reward that Christ has promised. And so, in our struggles and burdens, let us pray with the Korean martyrs, asking for their intercession, that we may persevere in hope and remain faithful to Christ until the end. So let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Jesus, our Lord, we give You thanks for calling the Korean martyrs to bear witness to Your love. Amid countless persecutions, they bore witness to the Gospel to the end with the steadfast faith; may we imitate their courage so that in our lives we, too, may bear witness to our faith. May we love the poor and the weak, never compromise with injustice, and forgive one another and live in reconciliation, so as to build up the Kingdom of God. Through the intercession of the first believers of the Korean Church and of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, and his companion martyrs, may we be strengthened by the Eucharist and the Word, to live faithfully each day, and at last, in Your Kingdom, may we rejoice together with them. We ask this through Christ, our Lord Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Korean (prayer only)
성부와 성자와 성령의 이름으로 아멘 주님,이 땅의 순교자들을 부르시어 주님의 사랑을 증언하게 하시니 감사하나이다. 무수한 박해 속에서도 굳건한 믿음으로 끝까지 복음을 증거한 순교자들의 용기를 본받아 저희도 일상의 자리에서 신앙을 증언하게 하소서. 가난하고 약한 이웃을 사랑하고 불의와 타협하지 않으며 서로 용서하고 화해함으로써 하느님 나라를 이루게 하소서. 특히 한국 교회의 첫 신앙인들과 성 김대건 안드레아 사제와 동료 순교자들의 전구로 저희가 성체와 말씀으로 힘을 얻어 성실히 살아가게 하시고, 마침내 주님 나라에서 그들과 함께 기쁨을 누리게 하소서. 우리 주 예수 그리스도를 통하여 비나이다. 아멘. 성부와 성자와 성령의 이름으로 아멘.