Biography
Joseph Chang Song-jip
About Joseph Chang Song-jip
Joseph Chang Song-jip was born in Seoul and lived at Sogang beside the Han River. He worked as a clerk at the Gwangheungchang storehouse. After losing his first wife and his position, he lived with a Catholic aunt and married again. His second wife also died. He later worked in another person’s medicine shop.
Joseph became a Catholic as an adult, but later withdrew after developing doubts about the incarnation of Christ. Instruction and encouragement from other Catholics helped him return to religious practice.
The bishops’ conference account describes his renewed commitment to prayer and religious reading.
The encyclopedia dates his confirmation to May 1838. His daughter also received baptism and married a Catholic.
Joseph was arrested in May 1839. Neighbors, acquaintances and officers urged him to renounce his faith. He instead explained Catholic beliefs and refused the demand to deny God. After severe punishment, he died in prison in Seoul on May 26, 1839.
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