Saint Petrus Hong Pyongju

Biography

Saint Petrus Hong Pyongju, also known as Peteuro Hong Byeong-Ju, was born in 1799 in Sosan, Chungcheong-do, South Korea. He led an extraordinary life as a lay catechist in the apostolic vicariate of Korea during a time when Catholics faced severe persecution. Petrus Hong dedicated himself to spreading the Catholic faith in Korea, which was then a closed and isolated nation. He was renowned for his deep faith, unwavering commitment, and tireless efforts to educate others about the teachings of Catholicism. Despite the risks involved, Petrus Hong fearlessly engaged in evangelization, conducting catechetical classes and organizing small communities of believers. He demonstrated immense strength and perseverance, especially during a period when the Catholic Church faced intense persecution from the Korean government. In 1840, at the age of 41, Petrus Hong was arrested alongside a group of fellow Catholics. They were charged with undermining the traditional Confucian values of Korea and refusing to renounce their faith. Petrus Hong, along with his companions, remained steadfast in their belief, even in the face of torture and threats. On 31 January 1840, Petrus Hong and his fellow martyrs were beheaded in Dangkogae, Seoul, South Korea, under the order of the government. Their martyrdom became a powerful symbol of faith and resilience for the Korean Catholic community. Pope Pius XI recognized the heroic virtue of Saint Petrus Hong and his companions and issued a decree on 9 May 1925, venerated them as martyrs. Just two months later, on 5 July 1925, Pope Pius XI beatified them, acknowledging their profound sacrifice for the sake of the Catholic faith. Finally, on 6 May 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Petrus Hong Pyongju and the other martyrs of Korea. Their canonization highlighted the rich history of Catholicism in Korea and the strength of the faith in the face of persecution. While Saint Petrus Hong Pyongju does not have a specific patronage assigned to him, his life and martyrdom serve as an inspiration for all those who face adversity or persecution due to their faith. His feast days are celebrated on 31 January and 20 September as part of the commemoration of the Martyrs of Korea. Saint Petrus Hong Pyongju reminds us of the importance of standing firm in our beliefs and the eternal rewards that await those who faithfully follow Christ, even in the face of great suffering.