Saint Maria Yi Yon-hui

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Saint Maria Yi Yon-hui
Feast Day	September 20
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Korean Martyrs; married couples
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 Maria Yi Yon-hui (Korean: 이연희 마리아; c. 1802/1804 – 3 September 1839) was a 19th-century Korean lay Catholic martyr, one of the 103 Korean Martyrs canonized for her exemplary Christian marriage and charity during the Gihae Persecution of 1839. Born into a noble family in Seoul, Maria Yi, née Nam Myong-hyok's wife, converted to Catholicism in her youth, embracing a life of devotion that included caring for the poor and instructing catechumens, as recounted in persecution testimonies preserved in Korean Church archives. Married to fellow martyr Damien Nam Myong-hyok, who had reformed from a dissolute life post-conversion, she modeled conjugal holiness, raising their family in faith amid Joseon edicts banning Christianity since 1801. Arrested with her husband during the 1839 crackdown, she endured imprisonment and torture at the police headquarters, refusing to apostatize, and was beheaded outside the Small West Gate (Seodaemun) on 3 September 1839, aged about 35–37, as documented in regent Heungseon's persecution records. Her steadfastness, even consoling her husband in prison, exemplified lay heroism in Confucian society.

Canonized on 6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Yoido, Seoul—the first canonization on Korean soil—as part of the 103 Korean Martyrs, Maria Yi's sanctity was affirmed through the group's collective witness, with beatification on 15 August 1968 by Pope Paul VI following group miracles like the 1960 healing of a Korean woman from terminal cancer. Celebrated on 20 September with the Martyrs, her feast underscores marital fidelity; while hagiographic traditions describe her visions of heavenly crowns—these deriving from catechist narratives without independent verification—her historical role as a model spouse in underground faith communities endures. As patron among Korean Martyrs for married couples, Maria Yi inspires perseverance in domestic sanctity.

Biography

Birth

Maria Yi Yon-hui was born around 1802 or 1804 in Seoul, Joseon Korea, into a yangban family, as inferred from persecution trial records noting her noble status. No exact baptismal date survives due to clandestine practice, but her conversion in youth aligns with the 1784 introduction of Catholicism via Chinese texts. Hagiographic accounts portray a pious childhood, though unverified.

Her early life reflected Joseon elite norms, with education in Confucian virtues; faith shifted her to secret prayer.

Early Life

From youth, Maria Yi engaged in charitable acts, caring for the poor and instructing women in faith, per martyrdom testimonies. Married to Damien Nam Myong-hyok post-conversion, she raised a family in piety, hosting catechumens.

Adulthood involved domestic apostolate; traditions of early trials remain unconfirmed.

Occupation

As a laywoman, Maria Yi's occupation was homemaking and charity, supporting the Church through alms and hospitality, per trial documents. No formal profession beyond marriage.

Vocation

Maria Yi's vocation as a married apostle emerged post-conversion, modeling Christian union with Damien, refusing apostasy under torture. Her prison consolation exemplified spousal sanctity; martyrdom fulfilled her call.

Death

Arrested with husband in June 1839 during Gihae Persecution, Maria Yi was imprisoned at police headquarters, tortured, and beheaded 3 September 1839 outside Small West Gate, per logs. Body discarded, later buried; her fortitude sustained family.

Saint Maria Yi Yon-hui met her end through martyrdom in Joseon Korea.

Significant events

• Converted to Catholicism in youth, c. 1820s.
• Married Damien Nam Myong-hyok, modeling holy union.
• Arrested June 1839 for faith during Gihae Persecution.
• Executed by beheading on 3 September 1839 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 Maria Yi Yon-hui
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Saenamteo Catholic Shrine

• Execution site on Han River, now martyr memorial with Maria Yi's name, designated by Archdiocese of Seoul for September 20 pilgrimages; qualifies under Canon 1230 through prayer and relic sites for married martyrs.
• Pilgrimage details: 80-8 Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea; 19th century; plenary indulgences; Archdiocese of Seoul.
• Facts: "Near site of 1839 beheading."

Myeongdong Cathedral

• Seoul's mother church, housing collective relics of Korean Martyrs including Maria 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 1839 persecution with Maria 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 marital martyrdom."

Canonization

Servant of God

As part of Korean Martyrs, process began 1925 with historical inquiry; 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 group miracle.

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 charity aiding conversions, per testimonies.

Patronage

Saint Maria Yi Yon-hui shares patronage with Korean Martyrs for married couples and charity.

Feast day

September 20

Veneration

Saint Maria Yi Yon-hui venerated on 20 September with Martyrs through Seoul Masses. Relics in Myeongdong.

Depicted in group icons with palm. Literature in martyr stories. Shrines foster marital faith.

Books

Written about the saint

• The Korean Martyrs

Written by the saint

No known writings.

External links

• Wikipedia: Korean Martyrs
• Catholic Online: St. Maria Yi Yonhui
• Santosepulcro: Maria Yi Yonhui
• National Catholic Register: Korean Martyrs