Blessed Peter Won Si-jang

Peter Won Si-jang (Korean: 원시장 베드로; born 1732 in Eungjeong-ri, Hongju, in the then-province of Chungcheong, Korea; died January 28, 1793, in Jeonju) was a Korean martyr and a blessed of the Catholic Church. Won Si-jang was a father of several children. Between 1788 and 1789, he and his cousin Won Si-bo encountered the Catholic faith. To study the catechism, Won Si-jang decided to leave home for a year. Upon his return, he began teaching the catechism to relatives and acquaintances, even though he had not yet been baptized. Furthermore, he gave his wealth to the poor. In 1791, following the start of the persecution of Catholics in Korea, he was arrested (his cousin Won Si-bo managed to escape). Attempts were made to force him to renounce his faith through persuasion and torture, but these efforts were unsuccessful. It was only while in prison that Won Si-jang was baptized by a fellow Catholic who came to visit him. Peter Won Si-jang gave his life for the faith on January 28, 1793. His cousin, James Won Si-bo, became a martyr in 1799. Peter Won Si-jang and his cousin James Won Si-bo were beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014, as part of a group of 124 Korean martyrs. He is commemorated on May 31 with the group of 124 Korean martyrs.