Preview

Saint Yi Sung-hun

1756–1801

Saint Yi Sung-hun, 1756–1801
September 20

Saint Yi Sung-hun lived in Korea. His family was part of the ruling class. When he was traveling with his father to China, he was baptized. He was one of the first people in Korea to become Catholic. The government did not want people to be Christian. When Yi Sung-hun refused to worship a false god, he was arrested. Many other Korean Christians were arrested too. One hundred and three people were killed for being Christian. When Yi Sung-hun died, he told people not to be sad because he would see them again in Heaven. He placed God first, and was a man of the Beatitudes.

Discuss: How does God bless you? How can you share those blessings with others?

Saint Yi Sung-hun lived in Korea. His family was part of the ruling class. When he was traveling with his father to China, he was baptized. He was one of the first people in Korea to become Catholic. The government did not want people to be Christian. When Yi Sung-hun refused to worship a false god, he was arrested. Many other Korean Christians were arrested too. One hundred and three people were killed for being Christian. When Yi Sung-hun died, he told people not to be sad because he would see them again in Heaven.

Saint Yi Sung-hun was the first known Korean to be baptized, and his baptismal name was Peter. He was very intelligent, and able to read difficult books at a young age. Yi Sung-hun brought many Catholic books and rosaries to Korea from China, and helped established the Church and Catholic study groups in Korea.

Activity
Beatitudes
Verbal/Linguistic

Explain that when we follow the Beatitudes, we are a blessing to others and we are helping God as he builds his Kingdom.

  • Together, read the Scripture on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–10) from page 122 in the Student Book.
  • Each of you should select one of the Beatitudes that you live by, and explain to the other why you think this is so.
  • Next, determine which Beatitude you could each work harder on.
  • Write that Beatitude on an index card. Post your index cards in a prominent place as a reminder.