Saint Peter Kwŏn Tŭg-in

Peter Kwon Tŭg-in (1805–May 24, 1839) was a martyr and a saint of the Catholic Church. Born in Seoul to a Catholic family, he lost his father in childhood and his mother at the age of 16. He became a devout Catholic under his mother's influence. After her death, he married and worked in his brother’s herbal shop before starting his own small business. Though poor, he did not complain. After moving, he produced crosses and holy medals for Christians. During the persecutions, he was arrested with his family on January 16, 1839. They were interrogated and tortured several times. His wife and her brother renounced their faith under torture and were released. While in prison, Peter Kwon Tŭg-in wrote them a letter urging them to reconsider. Influenced by the testimony of her daughter-in-law, his wife acknowledged her error and repented. Peter Kwon Tŭg-in was subjected to repeated, cruel torture. One of the reasons cited in his death sentence was the production and sale of religious articles. He was beheaded in Seoul at the execution site outside the Small West Gate on May 24, 1839, along with eight other Catholics: Magdalena Kim Ŏb-i, Anna Pak A-gi, Agatha Yi So-sa, Agatha Kim A-gi, Augustine Yi Kwang-hŏn, Barbara Han A-gi, Lucia Pak Hŭi-sun, and Damian Nam Myŏng-hyŏg. His memorial is celebrated on September 20 as part of the group of 103 Korean Martyrs. He was beatified on July 5, 1925, by Pope Pius XI and canonized on May 6, 1984, by Pope John Paul II as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs.