Biography
Maria Won Kwi-im
About Maria Won Kwi-im
Maria Won Kwi-im was born at Yongmeori in Goyang. After losing her parents while young, she went to Seoul and lived with her aunt Lucia Won. She earned her living through sewing.
The bishops’ conference account instead describes her traveling with her father after her mother’s death. Her aunt taught her Catholic prayers and doctrine as well as skills for earning a living.
Maria received baptism while young and decided to remain unmarried. She was arrested while trying to escape a police raid in April 1839. Although initially frightened, she regained her composure and refused to abandon her religion.
She endured severe punishment before being executed outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on July 20, 1839, with seven other Catholics.
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