Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions: Patron of Korea

Early Life and Calling of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions

Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean-born Catholic priest, and Paul Chong Hasang was a lay apostle who helped sustain the Korean Catholic community. They are honored together with 103 Korean martyrs who died during the severe persecutions of the nineteenth century. Remarkably, the Catholic faith in Korea was planted by laypeople who discovered it through books from China.

The vocation of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.

Patron Saint: Korea, Korean clergy

Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions is honored as the patron saint of Korea, Korean clergy. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.

Those who work in or are associated with Korea have traditionally invoked Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions is grounded in the specific details of Companions's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.

How to Honor Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions in Your Daily Life

The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions and seek Companions's intercession:

On the Feast Day (09-20): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Companions's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Companions's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions and spend a few minutes in prayer.

Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Companions, pray for us," draws Companions's intercession into your day.

Novena: A nine-day novena to Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.

Study: Read a biography of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.

Prayer to Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions

O glorious Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal): Lord our God, you have given us Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Companions's memory imitate Companions's virtues and one day share Companions's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions in Art and Catholic Tradition

Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.

Common symbols associated with Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions in Catholic art may include: - A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood - Specific objects or instruments associated with Companions's life or martyrdom - Liturgical vestments corresponding to Companions's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing) - A palm branch, if Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions is a martyr

A lesser-known fact about Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions: Korea is unique in Church history because its Catholic community was founded entirely by laypeople, without any missionaries, based on books brought from Beijing.

When praying before an image of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.