Take Courage · Seoul 2027

St Andrew Kim Taegon

He was twenty-five years old.

Korea's first native priest. Six months ordained. Beheaded on a sandbank in the Han River, in 1846.

Carved and painted statue of St Andrew Kim Taegon in Korean hanbok and a wide-brimmed gat, holding a cross, a book and a martyr's palm — **St Andrew Kim Taegon** 성 김대건 안드레아

1821

Born at Solmoe

Into a Catholic family in a kingdom that executed Catholics. His great-grandfather and his father were both martyred.

1836

Chosen at fifteen

One of the first three Korean seminarians. He travelled overland and by sea to Macau to study, because there was nowhere in Korea to do it.

1845

Ordained in Shanghai

The first Korean Catholic priest. He sailed home aboard the Raphael to a country where his priesthood was a capital offence.

1846

Mapping the way in

His work was charting sea routes so that more missionaries could enter. He was arrested doing it.

16 Sep 1846

Beheaded at Saenamteo

On the Han River sandbank used for executing the most serious criminals. He was twenty-five, and had been a priest for six months.

1984

Canonized, in Seoul

John Paul II declared him a saint among the 103 Korean Martyrs — the first canonization held outside Rome in modern times.

The world is
coming to Seoul

Take courage! I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Theme of World Youth Day 2027

World Youth Day returns to Asia after thirty-two years. St Andrew Kim Taegon is one of its five patron saints, alongside John Paul II, Carlo Acutis, Josephine Bakhita and Frances Xavier Cabrini.

First WYD in Korea 15 host dioceses 5 patron saints Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims Registration opens end of September

Jesus Youth Canada Pilgrim

From YYZ/YVR 29 July 2027

To ICN Return 9 August

World Youth Day 29th July - 8th August 2027

Way of the Martyrs 9-12 August 2027 After WYD, the road continues.
Birthplace, shrines, and the martyr Church.

Post-WYD package

Way of the Martyrs

After World Youth Day, we'll leave Seoul and journey through some of the places where that story began - from the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim to the shrines and communities shaped by Korea's martyrs.

Aug 9th-11th, 2027 3 days / 3 nights

Final route and pilgrimage details coming soon.

Way of the
Martyrs

He was twenty-five years old.

The world is
coming to Seoul

Way of the Martyrs

Until the opening Mass

The road doesn't
end in Seoul.

He was twenty-five years old.

The world iscoming to Seoul

Way of the Martyrs

Until the opening Mass

The road doesn'tend in Seoul.

The world is
coming to Seoul

The road doesn't
end in Seoul.