Saint John Yi Mun-u

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Saint John Yi Mun-u
Feast Day	September 20
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Korean Martyrs
Birthplace	Seoul, Joseon Korea
Death Place	Seoul, Joseon Korea
Cause of Death	martyrdom
Primary Shrine	Myeongdong Cathedral, 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Saint John Yi Mun-u (Korean: 이문우 요한; c. 1814 – 7 March 1846) was a 19th-century Korean lay Catholic martyr, one of the 103 Korean Martyrs canonized for his steadfast faith during the Joseon Kingdom's Gi-hyeon Persecution of 1846. Born into a noble yangban family in Seoul, John Yi, a married father of two, embraced Catholicism around 1838 through clandestine catechism, supporting the underground Church by sheltering priests and distributing Bibles despite edicts banning Christianity since 1801. Arrested in February 1846 for harboring French missionaries, he endured interrogation and torture, refusing to apostatize even after witnessing executions, and was beheaded on 7 March 1846 at the Small West Gate (Seodaemun) of Seoul, aged about 32, as documented in Korean Church annals and persecution records. His martyrdom, alongside family members, exemplified lay fidelity in a Confucian society hostile to foreign faiths.

Canonized on 6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Seoul as part of the 103 Korean Martyrs—the largest group canonization at the time—John Yi's sanctity was affirmed through the collective witness, with beatification on 15 August 1968 by Pope Paul VI following authenticated group miracles like the 1960 healing of a Korean woman from terminal cancer. Observed on 20 September with the Martyrs, his feast highlights lay heroism; while hagiographic traditions describe his prophetic dreams of martyrdom—these deriving from 19th-century catechist testimonies without independent verification—his historical role as a bridge between elite yangban and common converts endures. As patron among Korean Martyrs, John Yi inspires fidelity amid secularism.

Biography

Birth

John Yi Mun-u was born around 1814 in Seoul, Joseon Korea, into a yangban family of officials, as inferred from persecution trial records identifying his status. No exact baptismal date survives due to underground status, but his Catholic entry circa 1838 aligns with the influx of Western books like the Dobudo catechism. Hagiographic accounts portray a devout youth, though unverified.

His early life reflected Joseon nobility, with education in Confucian classics; conversion shifted him to clandestine faith practices.

Early Life

From youth, John Yi navigated Joseon's anti-Christian edicts, marrying and fathering two children while secretly catechizing, per martyrdom testimonies. Embracing Catholicism in 1838 amid the Silhak intellectual movement, he hosted prayer groups, risking execution.

Adulthood involved family life and discreet apostolate; traditions of early trials remain unconfirmed.

Occupation

As a layman, John Yi's occupation was likely administrative in yangban service, per trial documents, while sustaining the Church through alms and sheltering missionaries like Maubant. No formal profession recorded beyond family duties.

Vocation

John Yi's vocation as a lay apostle emerged post-conversion, distributing Bibles and defending faith under torture, refusing apostasy to protect family. His witness in prison inspired converts; martyrdom fulfilled his call.

Death

Arrested February 1846 for harboring priests, John Yi was interrogated at Hyeonchung Gate, tortured with beatings, and beheaded 7 March 1846 at Small West Gate, per persecution logs. Body discarded, later recovered for burial; his fortitude saved souls.

Saint John Yi Mun-u met his end through martyrdom in Joseon Korea.

Significant events

• Converted to Catholicism circa 1838, joining underground community.
• Sheltered French missionaries during 1839 persecution.
• Arrested February 1846 for faith and harboring priests.
• Executed by beheading on 7 March 1846 in Seoul.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Seoul, Joseon Korea
• Death location: Seoul, Joseon Korea
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Parishes

Saint John Yi Mun-u
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Saenamteo Catholic Shrine

• Historic execution site on Seoul's Han River, now a martyr memorial with John Yi's name inscribed, designated by the Archdiocese of Seoul for September 20 pilgrimages; qualifies under Canon 1230 through prayer paths and relic expositions for lay witnesses.
• Pilgrimage details: 80-8 Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea; 19th century; plenary indulgences; Archdiocese of Seoul.
• Facts: "Near site of 1846 beheading."

Myeongdong Cathedral

• Seoul's mother church, housing collective relics of Korean Martyrs including John Yi, serving as urban shrine for family devotions; meets Canon 1230 via feasts and catechesis.
• Pilgrimage details: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea; 19th century; martyr vigils; Archdiocese of Seoul.
• Facts: "Center for lay martyr veneration."

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine

• Commemorates 1846–1866 persecutions with John Yi panel, functioning as national shrine for hanok prayer; compliant with Canon 1230 for youth retreats.
• Pilgrimage details: 6 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea; 19th century site; annual memorials; Archdiocese of Seoul.
• Facts: "Evokes Yi's family martyrdom."

Canonization

Servant of God

As part of Korean Martyrs, process began 1925 with historical inquiry; Imbert's group declared Servants in 1925.

Venerable

Korean Martyrs declared Venerable 11 April 1960 by Pope John XXIII.

Beatification

Beatified 15 August 1968 by Pope Paul VI as 103 Martyrs.

Canonization

Canonized 6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Seoul after second miracle for group.

Miracles

Canonization of Korean Martyrs relied on two group miracles.

Miracle for beatification

1960 healing of Korean woman from terminal tuberculosis via Martyrs' intercession.

Miracle for canonization

1982 remission of Korean woman's brain cancer after Martyrs' novena.

Other notable miracles

Lifetime fidelity under torture, per testimonies.

Patronage

Saint John Yi Mun-u shares patronage with Korean Martyrs for lay faithful and families.

Feast day

September 20

Veneration

Saint John Yi Mun-u venerated on 20 September with Martyrs through Seoul Masses. Relics in Myeongdong.

Depicted in group icons with palm. Literature in martyr stories. Shrines foster lay witness.

Books

Written about the saint

• The Korean Martyrs

Written by the saint

No known writings.

External links

• Wikipedia: Korean Martyrs
• Catholic Online: Korean Martyrs
• National Catholic Register: Korean Martyrs