Biography
Magdalena Cho
About Magdalena Cho
Magdalena Cho learned about Catholicism from her mother, Catherine Yi. After her father died, relatives opposed the religion, and Catherine moved the children to her own family’s home. Magdalena helped support the family through weaving and sewing.
She chose to remain unmarried and went to Seoul to work in a Catholic household. Later, she returned to care for her mother, teach people learning about Catholicism, nurse sick people and baptize children in danger of death.
When local persecution intensified in 1838, Magdalena, her mother and a sibling took refuge in Seoul. Bishop Laurence Imbert helped them find accommodation with Barbara Cho. They were arrested during the persecution of 1839.
Magdalena and Catherine refused to deny their religion. They died in prison after punishment and illness, probably in late September or early October.
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