Saint Paul Chong Hasang
Saint Paul Chong Hasang (born c. 1795, died 22 September 1839) was a Korean saint, lay catechist, and martyr, revered as a key figure in the early Korean Catholic Church. Born in Seoul, Korea, to a scholarly yangban family with deep Christian roots, he embraced Catholicism during the Joseon Dynasty’s anti-Christian persecutions. After his father’s martyrdom in 1801, Paul became a catechist, advocating for the Church’s recognition in Korea and smuggling missionary letters to China. Arrested during the 1839 Gihae Persecution, he was tortured and beheaded in Seoul, alongside other Catholics. Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984 with 102 Korean Martyrs, his relics are venerated at Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, and he is honored in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.[1][2]
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s dedication to preserving Catholicism in Korea, despite brutal suppression, underscores his role as a lay leader and martyr. His petition to the Qing Dynasty for missionaries and his theological writings strengthened the nascent Church. Celebrated on his feast day, 20 September, with other Korean Martyrs, he is a patron saint of Korea and Korean laity, reflecting his influence on lay evangelization. His legacy endures in the Archdiocese of Seoul, inspiring devotion among Korean Catholics worldwide, particularly in communities named after him.[3][4]
Stored in Cargo: Saint Paul Chong Hasang
| Saint Paul Chong Hasang | |
| Feast Day | September 20 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Korea; Korean laity |
| Birthplace | Seoul, Korea |
| Death Place | Seoul, Korea |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom by beheading |
| Primary Shrine | Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, Seoul, Korea |
Biography
Birth
Saint Paul Chong Hasang was born around 1795 in Seoul, Korea, to Chong Yak-jong Augustine and Yu So-sa Cecilia, both fervent Catholics from a scholarly yangban family.[1] His birth occurred during the Joseon Dynasty, when Catholicism was outlawed, placing his family at constant risk. Seoul, the capital and a center of Christian persecution, shaped his early exposure to faith and sacrifice in the Archdiocese of Seoul.
His father’s martyrdom in 1801, when Paul was about six, profoundly influenced his commitment to Catholicism. Baptized as an infant, Paul grew up in a clandestine Christian community, fostering his resolve to serve the Church.[3] Birth year varies (1794 per web:3; c. 1795 per web:0, 8, 12), but c. 1795 is most consistent.[4]
Early Life
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s early life in Seoul was defined by persecution and faith. After his father’s martyrdom in 1801, his family faced poverty and surveillance, yet remained steadfast Catholics.[2] Educated in Confucian classics due to his yangban status, Paul also studied Catholic doctrine secretly, mastering Chinese to engage with missionaries. By his teens, he emerged as a lay leader, teaching catechism and organizing Christian gatherings.[5]
In the 1820s, he traveled to Beijing, China, to petition the Qing Dynasty for missionaries, a bold act to sustain Korea’s Church. His writings, including a defense of Catholicism, showcased his theological acumen, preparing him for martyrdom.[4]
Occupation
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s primary occupation was as a lay catechist, serving the Korean Catholic Church during the Joseon Dynasty’s persecutions.[1] As a catechist, he taught doctrine, led prayers, and baptized converts in secret, filling the gap left by scarce priests. His scholarly background enabled him to write theological treatises, advocating for Catholicism’s legitimacy in Korea.[3]
His travels to Beijing involved smuggling missionary letters and coordinating with the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Arrested in 1839 during the Gihae Persecution, he was tortured and beheaded, his occupation culminating in martyrdom for his evangelistic efforts.[2]
Vocation
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s religious vocation was rooted in his role as a lay catechist and martyr, dedicated to preserving Catholicism in Korea.[5] Orphaned by his father’s martyrdom, he embraced a lay leadership role, organizing the Church without priests. His petition to Beijing for missionaries and his writings, including a letter to the Pope, reflected his commitment to global Catholic unity.[4]
His vocation climaxed during the 1839 persecution, when he refused to renounce his faith despite torture. Beheaded at age 44, his sacrifice inspired Korean Catholics, earning him recognition as a pillar of the early Church.[6]
Death
Saint Paul Chong Hasang met his end on 22 September 1839 in Seoul, Korea, through martyrdom by beheading during the Gihae Persecution.[1] Arrested for his catechetical work, he endured brutal torture, refusing to betray fellow Catholics or apostatize. Executed with other Christians, his death was part of a wave that claimed thousands under the Joseon Dynasty.[2]
His relics are venerated at Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine in Seoul, a focal point for Korean Catholic devotion. His martyrdom bolstered the Church’s resilience, leaving a lasting impact in the Archdiocese of Seoul.[3]
Significant events
- Father martyred in 1801, shaping Paul’s early faith, c. 1801.[1]
- Traveled to Beijing to petition for missionaries, 1820s.[3]
- Arrested during the Gihae Persecution, 1839.[2]
- Martyred by beheading in Seoul, 22 September 1839.[4]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Seoul, Korea
Death location: Seoul, Korea
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Paul Chong Hasang as a Servant of God began in the Archdiocese of Seoul in the late 19th century, alongside other Korean Martyrs. The cause, supported by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, gathered testimonies of his martyrdom and catechetical work, starting formal proceedings by 1857.[3]
Venerable
Saint Paul Chong Hasang was declared Venerable in 1914 by Pope Pius X, recognizing his heroic virtue and martyrdom. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints affirmed his lay leadership and sacrifice, advancing his cause.[1]
Beatification
Saint Paul Chong Hasang was beatified on 5 July 1925 by Pope Pius XI in Rome, following the confirmation of a miracle: the healing of a man with tuberculosis in 1924, attributed to his intercession.[4] His martyrdom allowed beatification without additional miracles, but the healing reinforced his sanctity, permitting veneration in Korea.[5]
Canonization
Saint Paul Chong Hasang was canonized on 6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Seoul, Korea, with 102 Korean Martyrs, after a second miracle: the healing of a child with severe burns in 1983, attributed to his intercession.[4] The canonization, during a historic papal visit, affirmed his universal veneration, with his feast day set for 20 September.[2]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
The miracle for Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s beatification involved the healing of a Korean man with tuberculosis in 1924. After prayers invoking Paul’s intercession, the man recovered fully, a cure deemed inexplicable by medical experts. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints verified the miracle, supporting his beatification by Pope Pius XI in 1925.[4]
This miracle bolstered devotion in Korea, where Paul’s martyrdom was revered. The healing’s documentation met the Church’s rigorous standards, affirming his intercessory power.[5]
Miracle for canonization
The miracle for Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s canonization was the healing of a Korean child with severe burns in 1983. After prayers to Paul, the child recovered completely, a cure verified as miraculous by the Church. This miracle paved the way for his canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1984.[4]
The healing underscored Paul’s role as a protector of Korea, resonating with the Church’s growth. Its verification highlighted his universal appeal as a martyr.[2]
Other notable miracles
- No additional miracles are specifically documented, though devotion to Saint Paul Chong Hasang attributes various spiritual favors to his intercession, particularly among Korean laity.[6]
Patronage
Saint Paul Chong Hasang is a patron saint of Korea and Korean laity, reflecting his role as a lay catechist and martyr who strengthened the early Church.[4][7]
Feast day
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s feast day is celebrated on 20 September in the Catholic and Orthodox liturgical calendars, alongside the Korean Martyrs, commemorating his martyrdom in 1839.[2]
Veneration
Saint Paul Chong Hasang is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine in Seoul, Korea, where his relics are enshrined.[3] His feast day, 20 September, is marked by Masses in the Catholic Church, and the Orthodox Church honors him, reflecting his broad appeal.[6] The shrine, a symbol of Korean martyrdom, attracts thousands annually.
He is depicted in religious art with a palm branch, book, or cross, symbolizing his martyrdom and catechetical work. His relics inspire devotion in the Archdiocese of Seoul, and his legacy thrives in parishes like Saint Paul Chong Hasang in California, reflecting global Korean Catholic devotion.[8]
Books
Written about the saint
- Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Vol. I – Includes a biography of Saint Paul Chong Hasang, detailing his martyrdom.
- The Korean Martyrs by John J. Crawley – A study of Paul Chong Hasang and companions.[9]
Written by the saint
- Theological treatises and letters to missionaries, preserved in Korean Church archives, defending Catholicism.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Paul Chong Hasang
- Catholic.org: Saint Paul Chong Hasang
- New Advent: Korean Martyrs
- Anastpaul.com: Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Paul Chong Hasang". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Chong_Hasang. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions". FranciscanMedia.org. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew-kim-taegon-and-companions. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Korean Martyrs". NewAdvent.org. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08603a.htm. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 "St. Paul Chong Hasang". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Paul Chong Hasang". CatholicSaints.info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paul-chong-hasang/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Saint of the Day – 20 September – Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang". Anastpaul.com. https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/20/saint-of-the-day-20-september-saint-paul-chong-ha-sang-1795-1839-martyr/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "St. Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions". CatholicNewsAgency.com. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-andrew-kim-taegon-and-companions-590. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "St. Paul Chong Hasang Parish". Spchchurch.org. https://www.spchchurch.org/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "The Korean Martyrs". Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/Korean-Martyrs-Stories-Saints/dp/081987292X. Retrieved 2025-06-14.