Who Was Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi?

Saints

A married Korean laywoman martyred in Seoul in September 1839, during the same wave of persecution that claimed many of her fellow believers.

Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi was a married Catholic laywoman of Seoul, Korea, martyred at the Small West Gate in September 1839 at around thirty-nine years of age, during the Kihae persecution.

No known portrait of Saint Barbara Yi Chong Hui
No portrait or image of Saint Barbara Yi Chong Hui is known to survive; this icon marks pages without an identifiable image.

Quick Facts

  • Died: September 3, 1839, Small West Gate, Seoul, South Korea (age c. 39)
  • Venerated as: Laywoman and martyr
  • Status: Married

Who Was Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi?

Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi was a married Catholic laywoman in Seoul, executed at the Small West Gate in September 1839 at around thirty-nine years old. She was among a group of believers put to death together on the same day during the Kihae persecution.

Historical Setting

September 1839 saw a further wave of executions in Seoul as the Kihae persecution continued through the year, with groups of Catholics from across the city brought together for trial and execution on the same days.

Why the Church Remembers Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi

Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi is remembered among the company of believers who died together in September 1839, her witness preserved alongside that of her fellow martyrs from the same day.

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 Yi Chŏng-hŭi’s death alongside so many fellow believers is a reminder of the scale of the Kihae persecution and of the collective courage of the Catholic community it targeted.

A Prayer to Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi

Saint Barbara Yi Chŏng-hŭi, faithful laywoman of Seoul who gave your life for Christ, pray for the Church in Korea and for all who stand firm in 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