The Archdiocese of Seoul commemorated the 100th anniversary of the beatification of 79 Korean martyrs with a solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung on Saturday, July 5, at the Seosomun Shrine History Museum—Korea’s foremost site of martyrdom and final resting place for 41 of the honored faithful.
More than 1,000 Catholics gathered at the historic shrine to mark the centenary of the martyrs’ recognition by Pope Pius XI at St. Peter’s Basilica on July 5, 1925. The martyrs, who were killed during the Gihae (1839) and Byeong-o (1846) persecutions, were among the first Korean Catholics formally declared Blessed for their steadfast witness to the faith.
The commemorative liturgy was accompanied by the official presentation of The Documentation of the Gihae and Byeong-o Persecutions—a new scholarly compilation by the Archdiocese’s Martyrs Elevation Committee. Drawing from the royal chronicles, judicial records, and state archives of the Joseon Dynasty, the volume contains original classical Chinese texts and their Korean translations.
“This is the first time that historical facts from official records—interrogations, reports, and directives from institutions like the Royal Secretariat and the State Council—have been carefully extracted, translated, and compiled, rather than relying solely on testimonies,” Archbishop Chung noted in his homily. “Even though these were records written by the persecutors, the courageous faith and deep conscience of the martyrs stand out all the more clearly within them.”
Recalling the words of St. Paul, the archbishop urged the faithful to reflect on the martyrs’ spiritual legacy: “The lives of the martyrs were precisely such a journey. ‘We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope.’ Even in the trials of persecution, they never abandoned their faith in the Lord. Their endurance deepened their faith, which ultimately bore fruit as true hope that overcame even death.”
The commemoration also featured the opening of a special exhibition, Anima Mundi – Souls of the World, at the same venue. Running until September 14, the exhibition honors the centenary of the 1925 Vatican Missionary Exhibition, known for promoting cultural dignity and interreligious dialogue.
Reconstructing the original “Joseon Pavilion,” the exhibit brings together over 270 artifacts from 16 Korean museums and monasteries, alongside rare items loaned by the Vatican’s Ethnological Museum. The display offers a unique glimpse into how Korea presented its faith and culture to the global Catholic Church a century ago.
Through this centennial celebration, the Archdiocese of Seoul not only honored the martyrs’ memory but also renewed its call for historical awareness, interfaith dialogue, and the continued witness of faith in today’s world.
