Saint Jacques Honoré Chastán

Biography

Saint Jacques Honoré Chastán, also known as Jakob Chastán or James Chastán, was born on 7 October 1803 in Marcoux, Basses-Alpes, France. He was ordained as a priest in 1826 and the following year, in 1827, he joined the Paris Society of Missions. After entering the society, Father Jacques Chastán embarked on a journey as a missionary to Asia. He first served in Thailand before moving on to Malaysia. In 1836, he arrived in Korea along with other missionaries, such as Saint Lawrence Imbert, Saint Peter Maubant, and Saint Paul Chong Hasang. During this time, Christianity faced severe persecution in Korea, with the Joseon Dynasty imposing strict restrictions on the spread of the faith. Saint Jacques Chastán and his companions faced immense challenges as they worked underground to spread the teachings of the Catholic Church. They lived and worked in secret for over two years, diligently spreading Christianity despite the risks involved. Sadly, on 6 September 1839, Saint Jacques Honoré Chastán, along with his fellow missionaries, was arrested for their missionary activities. They were accused of undermining the state religion and were subjected to harsh interrogations and torture. Despite the immense suffering they endured, they refused to renounce their faith. On 21 September 1839, Saint Jacques Chastán, along with his companions, was brutally beaten with a bastinado and then beheaded at Saenamteo, Seoul, South Korea. Their unwavering faith and commitment to spreading Christianity in the face of persecution led to their martyrdom. The heroic actions of Saint Jacques Chastán and his fellow martyrs were recognized by the Catholic Church. On 9 May 1925, Pope Pius XI venerated them and decreed their martyrdom. In a subsequent ceremony on 5 July 1925, Pope Pius XI beatified Saint Jacques Chastán and his companions, acknowledging their sanctity. Finally, on 6 May 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Jacques Honoré Chastán and the other Korean Martyrs, recognizing their exemplary lives and sacrifices for their faith. Although Saint Jacques Chastán does not have a designated patronage, his story of unwavering dedication to spreading Christianity and his ultimate sacrifice as a martyr serve as an inspiration to Catholics around the world.