Saint of the Day

01 · Read · A life to discover

St. Andrew Kim Taegon

Andrew Kim Taegon became the first native-born Korean Catholic priest. Baptized as a teenager, he traveled to Macau for formation and was ordained in Shanghai. He returned to minister to a Korean community that had grown through the initiative of lay believers despite persecution.

Born in 1821, Andrew belonged to a family that had already suffered because of its faith. His journey for formation required leaving Korea, and his return brought a locally born priest to believers who had often lacked access to the sacraments. His ordination was therefore a milestone for that community.

The Korean Church had begun through lay study of Christian writings and contact with believers in China. Andrew inherited that history rather than founding Christianity in Korea by himself. Later Church commemorations emphasize his witness to human dignity and equality within a society marked by strong social hierarchies.

His ministry in Korea was brief: he was arrested and killed on September 16, 1846. His witness is commemorated with Paul Chong Hasang and their companions on September 20. The distinction between his death date and the group memorial explains why both September dates appear in accounts of his life.

This saint is included on this recurring date in the U.S. Roman Rite calendar published by the USCCB. This reading guide gives U.S. calendar saints priority; the Mass celebrated on a particular year’s date can differ because of Sundays, seasons or higher-ranking celebrations.