Who Was Saint Barbara Han A-gi?

Saints

A married Korean laywoman martyred in Seoul in May 1839, at the start of the year’s severe anti-Christian persecution.

Saint Barbara Han A-gi was a married Catholic laywoman of Seoul, Korea, martyred at the Small West Gate in May 1839 at around forty-six years of age, among the earliest victims of that year’s Kihae persecution.

No known portrait of Saint Barbara Han A Gi
No portrait or image of Saint Barbara Han A Gi is known to survive; this icon marks pages without an identifiable image.

Quick Facts

  • Died: May 24, 1839, Small West Gate, Seoul, South Korea (age c. 46)
  • Venerated as: Laywoman and martyr
  • Status: Married

Who Was Saint Barbara Han A-gi?

Saint Barbara Han A-gi was a married Catholic laywoman in Seoul, executed at the Small West Gate in May 1839 at around forty-six years old. Her death came among the earliest executions of the Kihae persecution, a sustained campaign that year against Korea’s underground Catholic community.

Historical Setting

The Kihae persecution of 1839 was a coordinated effort by the Korean government to root out the growing Catholic community, which had spread rapidly among both the nobility and commoners in previous decades despite its illegal status. Executions like that of Barbara Han A-gi continued through much of that year.

Why the Church Remembers Saint Barbara Han A-gi

Barbara Han A-gi is remembered as one of the many lay believers who accepted execution rather than deny the Catholic faith during the opening months of one of Korea’s most severe periods of anti-Christian persecution.

Canonization and Feast Day

No individual canonization record is given in the source. Martyrs of the 1839 Kihae persecution were among those later canonized together as part of the 103 Holy Martyrs of Korea by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

What Catholics Can Learn Today

Barbara Han A-gi’s death is a reminder of how quickly and broadly persecution could sweep through an entire community once it began, claiming ordinary believers with no distinction of age or status.

A Prayer to Saint Barbara Han A-gi

Saint Barbara Han A-gi, faithful laywoman of Seoul who gave your life for Christ, pray for the Church in Korea and for all who are tested in their faith. Amen.

Sources

  • Roman Martyrology
  • Acta Apostolicae Sedis on the canonization of the 103 Martyrs of Korea (1984)
  • records of the Catholic Church in Korea