Paul Chong Hasang
1795-1839 19th century Feast day: September 20
The perseverance of beginning again: rebuilding without priests, without structures, with fidelity alone.
Who was Paul Chong Hasang?
Son of a Korean martyr, a layman, he patiently rebuilt the decimated Church of Korea, making many journeys to Beijing to obtain priests and writing as far as the Holy See. As his own arrest drew near, he composed the Sangjae-sangseo, a plea addressed to the prime minister in defense of the Christian faith. He was beheaded in 1839, at the head of a Church carried by laypeople.
In their own words
Our religion teaches us to serve God and to love our neighbor as ourselves; it forbids doing evil, even in secret.
This religion is true; I have followed it, and I am ready to die for it.