Biography
Magdalena Han Yong-i
About Magdalena Han Yong-i
Magdalena Han Yong-i was born in 1784 into a poor family that did not practice Catholicism. She married Kwon Yeong-jwa and became the mother of Agatha Kwon Chin-i. Her husband became interested in Catholicism, received baptism before his death and asked his family to live according to the faith.
After becoming a widow, Magdalena depended on the hospitality of other Catholics. Her daughter later returned to live with her after a period caring for the residence of the priest Pacificus Yu.
Agatha Yi Kyong-i joined Magdalena and her daughter. The three women encouraged one another in religious practice while sharing their difficult circumstances.
They were arrested in July 1839 after being denounced to the authorities. Magdalena remained imprisoned while the younger women were held separately. Her daughter escaped, but was later recaptured. All three underwent severe punishment.
Magdalena refused to abandon her faith. She was executed outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on December 29, 1839.
Agatha Kwon Chin-i and Agatha Yi Kyong-i were executed the following month.
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