Catholic saint biography
St. John Yi Mun-u
- Lived:
- d. 1840 — Korea
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Biography
John Yi Mun-u was orphaned as a child and raised by a Catholic woman in Seoul. After the deaths of his wife and children, he devoted himself to charitable work and helping missionaries. He accompanied Pierre Maubant on pastoral visits, collected assistance for prisoners, and helped conceal missionaries during persecution.
John also risked his safety to bury the bodies of Bishop Imbert, Maubant and Chastan. Arrested in November 1839, he refused inducements to renounce Catholicism and encouraged fellow prisoners. A prison letter recorded in the bishops' biography expresses his concern for their perseverance. He was executed at Tangkogae in February 1840.
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What will you carry with you?
After reading about St. John Yi Mun-u, take a moment to consider:
- Which event or decision in this life stood out to you?
- What virtue would you like to understand or practice more deeply?
- What small action could you take today in response?
These are reflection prompts from Saint Discovery, not quotations from the saint.
Sources and further reading
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