Blessed Matthias Choe In-gil

Matthias Choe In-gil (1765–June 28, 1795) was a Korean martyr and a blessed of the Catholic Church. Born in 1765, Choe In-gil converted to Catholicism in 1784. Following Paul Yun Yu-il’s return from Beijing, Matthias Choe In-gil participated in efforts to bring Catholic priests to Korea, specifically by preparing a house in Seoul to serve as a hideout. These efforts succeeded on December 24, 1794, when the Chinese missionary Zhou Wenmo arrived in Korea and stayed at Choe In-gil’s home. When the authorities, who were hostile toward Christians, discovered the missionary's presence, Zhou Wenmo was forced to relocate to the home of Columba Kang Wan-suk. While waiting for the police at his own home, Matthias Choe In-gil disguised himself as Zhou Wenmo to buy the priest more time to escape, a feat made possible by his fluency in Chinese. He was arrested, and his true identity was soon revealed. Saba Ji Hwang and Paul Yun Yu-il, who had also assisted in bringing the missionary to Korea, were arrested as well. After failed attempts to force them to reveal the priest's location and renounce their faith, they were executed on June 28, 1795, and their bodies were thrown into the Han River. Matthias Choe In-gil’s younger brother, Ignatius Choe In-cheol, also became a martyr for his faith in 1801. Matthias Choe In-gil and his brother Ignatius Choe In-cheol were beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014, as part of a group of 124 Korean martyrs. His feast day is celebrated on May 31 with the group of 124 Korean martyrs.