Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

Biography

Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, also known as Andrew Kim, Andreas Kim Tae-Gon, or Andeurea Gim Dae-Geon, was born on August 21, 1821, in Solmoi, Chungcheong-do, South Korea. He was born into a noble Korean family, and his parents were converts to Christianity. Unfortunately, his father, Ignatius Kim, was martyred for his faith when Andrew was only a young boy. At the age of 15, Andrew Kim was baptized and received the sacrament of confirmation. Inspired by the faith and sacrifice of his parents, he felt a strong calling to the priesthood. However, there were no seminaries in Korea at that time, so Andrew made a courageous and arduous journey of 1,300 miles to Macao, China, in order to pursue his vocation. In Macao, Andrew Kim entered the seminary and received a solid theological formation. Despite this, he passionately longed to bring the Catholic faith to his homeland. He returned to Korea even before completing his studies and was accompanied by a French missionary, Saint Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy. Together, they embarked on a mission to spread the Gospel among the Korean people. Andrew Kim's dedication and devotion earned him the respect and admiration of the Korean Catholic community, as well as many converts to the faith. Recognizing his exceptional capabilities and zeal, Bishop Jean-Joseph-Jean-Baptiste Ferréol ordained him a priest on August 17, 1845, in Shanghai. This made Father Andrew Kim the first native Korean priest in history. As the first priest ordained in Korea, Father Andrew faced numerous challenges and dangers. The Korean government, suspicious of foreign influences and fearful of potential uprisings, imposed strict restrictions on the practice of Christianity. Many Christians, including Father Andrew, lived with the constant threat of persecution and martyrdom. Father Andrew Kim's time as a priest was marked by courage, resilience, and a deep love for his people. He ministered to the Catholic community, celebrated sacraments, and offered pastoral care to those in need. His presence and ministry gave hope and strength to the Korean faithful during a time of extreme adversity. Unfortunately, Father Andrew Kim's missionary efforts were cut short on September 16, 1846, when he was arrested and taken to prison. Despite being subjected to painful tortures and interrogations, he remained steadfast in his faith and refused to renounce his beliefs. On September 16, 1846, Father Andrew Kim was beheaded at Saenamteo, Seoul, becoming the first Korean priest to die for the Christian faith. The martyrdom of Father Andrew Kim Taegon and countless other Korean Catholics inspired great admiration and respect from the universal Church. Pope Pius XI recognized his heroic witness by declaring him venerable on May 9, 1925, and beatifying him on July 5, 1925. Finally, on May 6, 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized Father Andrew Kim Taegon, acknowledging him as a saint and a model of Christian virtue. Today, Saint Andrew Kim Taegon is commemorated on September 16th and is venerated as the patron saint of Korean clergy. Saint Andrew Kim Taegon's life bears witness to his unwavering faith, dedication to the Gospel, and love for his people. His story continues to serve as a reminder of the power of faith and the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us in the pursuit of truth and justice.