Saint John Baptist Nam Chong-sam

Saint John Baptist Nam Chong-sam (1812–March 7, 1866) was a Korean Catholic martyr and saint. Born in Cheongju, he was the nephew of the high-ranking government official Augustine Nam Sang-gyo, who adopted him. At the age of 39, Nam Chong-sam became a governor. As a Catholic, he faced a difficult situation, as his position required him to participate in or fund ancestral worship ceremonies. He did not resign immediately, as he needed to support his numerous relatives, but he attempted to avoid participating in non-Christian rituals. After several years, he resigned, returned home, and taught the Korean language to foreign missionaries. Following financial difficulties in 1863, he moved to Seoul to work as a tutor of Chinese literature for the children of government ministers. When the persecution of Catholics began in Korea, he was imprisoned on March 1, 1866. Despite being tortured, he did not renounce his faith. He was beheaded at the execution site outside the Small West Gate in Seoul on March 7, 1866. His feast day is celebrated on September 20 as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI on October 6, 1968, and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 6, 1984, as part of the group of 103 Korean Martyrs.