⛪ Saint Franciscus Choe Kyong-hwan

 

Saint Franciscus Choe Kyong-Hwan, also known as Choe Gyeong-Hwan or Peuranchiseuko, was born in 1805 in Taraekkol, Hongjugun, Ch’ungch’ong Province, South Korea, into the prosperous Kyongju Choe clan. His grandfather, Choe Han-il, an early Catholic convert baptized in 1787, brought the entire family into the faith during a time when Christianity was rare and risky in Confucian Korea. Facing harassment from neighbors reverting to paganism after priests were expelled or executed, the family relocated to Seoul. There, legal troubles eroded their wealth, prompting Franciscus to move his family to a village on Mount Suri near Kwach’on, Kyonggi Province, where they became tobacco farmers.

Role as a Catechist

In Mount Suri, Franciscus, now a husband to Maria Yi Seong-rye and a father, fostered a growing Catholic community as other Christian families settled nearby for mutual support. In 1839, he became a lay catechist, teaching the faith at night in his home. Despite lacking formal theological training, Franciscus used spiritual texts to deliver earnest, clear, and compelling lessons, driven by his profound love for God. His home became a hub for catechesis, drawing Catholics from distant areas. He also collected funds to support imprisoned Christians, who were left to fend for themselves, and ensured martyrs received Christian burials.

Family and Priesthood Connection

In 1836, Franciscus and Maria were overjoyed when their son, Thomas Yang-eop, was selected by Saint Pierre Maubant of the Paris Foreign Missions Society to study for the priesthood in Macao. The family saw this as a divine blessing. Thomas was ordained in 1849 and later returned to Korea as the country’s second native-born priest, serving in remote villages as a missionary.

Persecution and Martyrdom

The 1839 anti-Catholic persecution under the Joseon Dynasty targeted the growing Christian community. On July 31, Franciscus, Maria, their children, and about 40 villagers were arrested for their faith and forced to march to Seoul. Imprisoned alongside Saint Laurent Imbert, Franciscus faced intense pressure to renounce Christianity. He endured brutal torture, including over 300 blows and having his flesh pierced with spikes, yet refused to abandon his faith. Between torture sessions, he prayed and taught catechesis to fellow prisoners, maintaining his spiritual leadership. On September 11, 1839, after a final severe beating, Franciscus, realizing his death was near, expressed a desire to die by beheading for Christ but accepted God’s will. He died in the early hours of September 12, 1839, in a Seoul prison from his injuries, at age 34.

His wife, Maria, briefly renounced Christianity under duress while witnessing his death but later reverted and was beheaded in 1840, earning the title Blessed Maria Yi Seong-rye. Before his arrest, Franciscus had buried the village’s religious objects to protect them from desecration, preserving them for future use, while keeping his catechism texts to continue his teaching.

Canonization and Legacy

Franciscus was beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and canonized on May 6, 1984, by Pope John Paul II in Youido Square, Seoul, as one of the 103 Korean Martyr Saints. His additional memorial is September 20, celebrated with the Martyrs of Korea. His life exemplifies courage, humility, and dedication to faith under persecution. As a lay catechist, he played a vital role in sustaining Korean Catholicism, teaching in secret and supporting the imprisoned. He is venerated as a model for laypeople, educators, and those facing persecution. His relics and legacy endure in Korea’s Catholic Church, particularly in communities honoring the Korean martyrs.

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