Biography
Magdalena Yi Yong-hui
About Magdalena Yi Yong-hui
Magdalena Yi Yong-hui grew up at Bongcheon in a family of noble background. Her aunt Theresa Yi Mae-im introduced her, her mother Magdalena Heo Gye-im and her sister Barbara Yi Chong-hui to Catholicism. Because Magdalena’s father opposed the religion, they practiced it secretly.
When her father arranged a marriage to a man who was not Catholic, Magdalena refused because she intended to remain unmarried. She left for Seoul. The bishops’ conference account says that her father eventually agreed not to force the marriage.
Magdalena lived for a time with her aunt. Later, Pacificus Yu helped her obtain a small house in Seoul. Barbara and their niece Barbara Yi also lived there. The sisters sold thread to support themselves. Their mother and aunt stayed with them when visiting Seoul to receive the sacraments.
During the persecution of 1839, Magdalena presented herself to the police with other Catholic women. She was executed outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on July 20, 1839.
Wondering how to weigh the stories and sources? Learn how to read a saint biography.