Biography
Augustine Yi Kwang-hon
About Augustine Yi Kwang-hon
Augustine Yi Kwang-hon belonged to the Gwangju Yi clan. His wife was Barbara Kwon Hui, his daughter Agatha Yi, and his younger brother John the Baptist Yi Kwang-ryol. The encyclopedia describes his conversion to Catholicism as a change from his earlier way of life. He was appointed a catechist.
Repeated persecution cost Augustine his property. He continued encouraging Catholics who had stopped practicing, visiting sick people and teaching those interested in the faith. He also helped priests gather believers for Mass and instruction.
His home provided a meeting place for Catholics. The bishops’ conference account describes the gathering place as an inn that helped conceal its religious purpose. Augustine and Barbara cared for sick members of the community.
He was arrested with his family in April 1839 and transferred from the police to the criminal court. He refused an offer to release the family if he abandoned Catholicism. After severe punishment, he was executed with eight other Catholics outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on May 24, 1839.
Barbara, John and Agatha also died during the persecution. The family’s martyrs were canonized in 1984.
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