Seoul, South Korea: Saenamteo (Korean Martyrs Shrine)
The 19th Century was a period of four major persecutions of Christians in Korea, resulting the deaths of thousands of believers.
Among them were many priests, religious and lay people, including Korea’s first native-born priest, Saint Andrew Kim. Saenamteo was a military camp that was also an execution site where many Christians were martyred.
About the Basilica of the Korean Martyrs:
Saenamteo was named a “martyrs’ shrine” by the Korean Catholic church in 1950. A monument to Catholic martyrs was placed here in 1956, and has been maintained by the Clerical Congregation of The Blessed Korean Martyrs since 1957. In 1981, the Saenamteo Parish was split off from the Han River Parish, and a Catholic church was established by the Archdiocese of Seoul. The Congregation of the Blessed Korean Martyrs began to construct a new church building in 1984, in a traditional Korean architectural style, for the commemoration of 200 years of Roman Catholicism in Korea.
In 1984, 103 of the Korean Martyrs were canonized in a ceremony in the Saenamteo church by Pope John Paul II. These were limited to the victims from the 1839, 1846, and 1866 persecutions for whom documentation could be found to meet the standard for canonization. Since that time, the process of canonization has begun or continued for additional martyrs. The church was completed and consecrated three years later, in 1987.
On September 3, 2006, a Seoul Archdiocese Saenamteo Martyrs’ Shrine was opened within the church. It includes historical displays and the relics of nine of the Korean Martyrs.
One of the more unusual features of the Basilica is that it is built according to Korean architectural style.
Daily Masses are celebrated. Check their website for details.
Traveling to The Korean Martyrs Museu in Seoul, South Korea:
Address: Seoul 165-13 Tojeong-ro
Phone: (+82) 2-3142-4434