Catholic church Saenamteo

Across the Han River, the Catholic church Saenamteo stands as a testament to faith and resilience. The church’s name, Saenamteo, originates from “Saenamuteo,” referring to the trees and sawgrass that once flourished here. This tranquil setting belies a turbulent past. Long before the church’s construction in 1987, Saenamteo served as a military training ground and execution site during the Joseon Dynasty. In 1456, royal officials implicated in a plot against King Sejo met their end here, becoming known as the Six Martyred Ministers. Saenamteo’s association with martyrdom deepened in the 19th century. During four waves of anti-Catholic persecution, numerous believers, including Korean, French, and Chinese priests, missionaries, and laypeople, were executed. Among them were eleven priests who gave their lives for their faith at this very spot. The Catholic church Saenamteo memorializes these martyrs. The 1801 persecution saw the execution of Chinese priest Jacob Zhou Wen-mo. He had secretly entered Korea to serve the Catholic community. In 1839, three French priests, Bishop Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert, Pierre-Philibert Maubant, and Jacques-Honoré Chastan, were martyred here. The 1846 persecution claimed the life of Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean Catholic priest, and Hyeon Seok-mun, author of the “Gihae Diary,” a chronicle of Catholic history in the Joseon dynasty. The 1866 persecution saw the martyrdom of six more French priests and two Korean laymen. The Catholic church Saenamteo, consecrated in 1987 in a traditional Korean architectural style, stands as a poignant reminder of their sacrifice. Within its walls, a Martyrs’ Memorial and a shrine house relics of nine Korean Martyrs. In 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized 103 Korean Martyrs, many of whom met their fate at Saenamteo. The church continues to serve as a place of pilgrimage and remembrance, honoring the unwavering faith of those who perished here. Their story, etched in the very stones of Saenamteo, continues to inspire generations.