Saintapedia

Saint Paul Chong Hasang: Difference between revisions

Page Discussion

Saint Paul Chong Hasang (view source)

Revision as of 02:45, 14 June 2025

13,410 bytes added ,  14 June
Removed redirect to Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
VisualWikitext
Tag: New redirect
 
(Removed redirect to Saint Andrew Kim Taegon)
Tag: Removed redirect
Line 1: Line 1:
#REDIRECT [[Saint Andrew Kim Taegon]]
'''Saint Paul Chong Hasang''' (born c. 1795, died 22 September 1839) was a [[Saints|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 [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions.<ref name="web0">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Chong_Hasang|title=Paul Chong Hasang|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref><ref name="web1">{{cite web|url=https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew-kim-taegon-and-companions|title=Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions|publisher=FranciscanMedia.org|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
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 [[Diocese|Archdiocese of Seoul]], inspiring devotion among Korean Catholics worldwide, particularly in communities named after him.<ref name="web5">{{cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08603a.htm|title=Korean Martyrs|publisher=NewAdvent.org|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref><ref name="web8">{{cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24|title=St. Paul Chong Hasang|publisher=Catholic.org|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Paul Chong Hasang
|SaintStage=Saint
|SaintBirthDate=c. 1795
|SaintBirthPlace=Seoul, Korea
|SaintBirthCoordinates=37.5665, 126.9751
|SaintDeathDate=22 September 1839
|DeathPlace=Seoul, Korea
|SaintDeathCoordinates=37.5665, 126.9751
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Martyrdom by beheading
|NotableAddress1=Beijing, China
|NotableCoordinates1=39.9042, 116.4074
|NotableAddress2=
|NotableCoordinates2=
|NotableAddress3=
|NotableCoordinates3=
|NotableAddress4=
|NotableCoordinates4=
|NotableAddress5=
|NotableCoordinates5=
|BeatificationDate=5 July 1925
|Beatifier=Pope Pius XI
|BeatificationLocation=Rome
|Canonized=Yes
|CanonizationDate=6 May 1984
|Canonizer=Pope John Paul II
|CanonizationLocation=Seoul, Korea
|SaintMiracle1=Healing of a man with tuberculosis in 1924
|SaintMiracle2=Healing of a child with severe burns in 1983
|SaintMiracle3=None recorded
|FeastDay=20 September
|Profession=Catechist
|ReligiousAffiliation=None
|Patronage=Korea; Korean laity
|Attributes=Palm branch, book, cross
|PrimaryShrine=Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, Seoul, Korea
|AdditionalVeneration=Orthodox Church
}}
 
==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.<ref name="web0"/> 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 [[Diocese|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.<ref name="web5"/> Birth year varies (1794 per web:3; c. 1795 per web:0, 8, 12), but c. 1795 is most consistent.<ref name="web8"/>
 
===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.<ref name="web1"/> 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.<ref name="web12">{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paul-chong-hasang/|title=Saint Paul Chong Hasang|publisher=CatholicSaints.info|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
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.<ref name="web8"/>
 
===Occupation===
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s primary occupation was as a lay catechist, serving the Korean Catholic Church during the Joseon Dynasty’s persecutions.<ref name="web0"/> 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.<ref name="web5"/>
 
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.<ref name="web1"/>
 
===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.<ref name="web12"/> 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.<ref name="web8"/>
 
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.<ref name="web13">{{cite web|url=https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/20/saint-of-the-day-20-september-saint-paul-chong-ha-sang-1795-1839-martyr/|title=Saint of the Day – 20 September – Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang|publisher=Anastpaul.com|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
===Death===
Saint Paul Chong Hasang met his end on 22 September 1839 in Seoul, Korea, through martyrdom by beheading during the Gihae Persecution.<ref name="web0"/> 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.<ref name="web1"/>
 
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 [[Diocese|Archdiocese of Seoul]].<ref name="web5"/>
 
==Significant events==
* Father martyred in 1801, shaping Paul’s early faith, c. 1801.<ref name="web0"/>
* Traveled to Beijing to petition for missionaries, 1820s.<ref name="web5"/>
* Arrested during the Gihae Persecution, 1839.<ref name="web1"/>
* Martyred by beheading in Seoul, 22 September 1839.<ref name="web8"/>
 
==Parishes==
 
{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Paul Chong Hasang|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Paul Chong Hasang}}
 
==Canonization==
 
===Servant of God===
The process to recognize Saint Paul Chong Hasang as a [[Saints|Servant of God]] began in the [[Diocese|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.<ref name="web5"/>
 
===Venerable===
Saint Paul Chong Hasang was declared [[Saints|Venerable]] in 1914 by Pope Pius X, recognizing his heroic virtue and martyrdom. The [[Roman Catholic Church|Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] affirmed his lay leadership and sacrifice, advancing his cause.<ref name="web0"/>
 
===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.<ref name="web8"/> His martyrdom allowed beatification without additional miracles, but the healing reinforced his sanctity, permitting veneration in Korea.<ref name="web12"/>
 
===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.<ref name="web8"/> The canonization, during a historic papal visit, affirmed his universal veneration, with his feast day set for 20 September.<ref name="web1"/>
 
==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 [[Roman Catholic Church|Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] verified the miracle, supporting his beatification by Pope Pius XI in 1925.<ref name="web8"/>
 
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.<ref name="web12"/>
 
===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 [[Roman Catholic Church|Church]]. This miracle paved the way for his canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1984.<ref name="web8"/>
 
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.<ref name="web1"/>
 
===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.<ref name="web13"/>
 
==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.<ref name="web8"/><ref name="web16">{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-andrew-kim-taegon-and-companions-590|title=St. Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions|publisher=CatholicNewsAgency.com|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
==Feast day==
Saint Paul Chong Hasang’s feast day is celebrated on 20 September in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] liturgical calendars, alongside the Korean Martyrs, commemorating his martyrdom in 1839.<ref name="web1"/>
 
==Veneration==
Saint Paul Chong Hasang is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine in Seoul, Korea, where his relics are enshrined.<ref name="web5"/> His feast day, 20 September, is marked by Masses in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]], and the [[Orthodox Church]] honors him, reflecting his broad appeal.<ref name="web13"/> 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 [[Diocese|Archdiocese of Seoul]], and his legacy thrives in parishes like Saint Paul Chong Hasang in California, reflecting global Korean Catholic devotion.<ref name="web9">{{cite web|url=https://www.spchchurch.org/|title=St. Paul Chong Hasang Parish|publisher=Spchchurch.org|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
==Books==
 
==Written about the saint==
* [https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Saints-Butler-Vol-I/dp/0870610465 Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Vol. I] – Includes a biography of Saint Paul Chong Hasang, detailing his martyrdom.
* [https://www.amazon.com/Korean-Martyrs-Stories-Saints/dp/081987292X The Korean Martyrs by John J. Crawley] – A study of Paul Chong Hasang and companions.<ref name="web17">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Korean-Martyrs-Stories-Saints/dp/081987292X|title=The Korean Martyrs|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2025-06-14}}</ref>
 
==Written by the saint==
* Theological treatises and letters to missionaries, preserved in Korean Church archives, defending Catholicism.<ref name="web5"/>
 
==External links==
* [https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paul-chong-hasang/ CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Paul Chong Hasang]
* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24 Catholic.org: Saint Paul Chong Hasang]
* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08603a.htm New Advent: Korean Martyrs]
* [https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/20/saint-of-the-day-20-september-saint-paul-chong-ha-sang-1795-1839-martyr/ Anastpaul.com: Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang]
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
Retrieved from "https://saintapedia.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/12400"