Catherine Yi was a Korean Catholic laywoman and martyr born in Seoul around 1783. Raised in a religious household, she successfully converted her husband and raised her children in the Christian faith. Following religious persecution, she moved to Seoul with her daughter, Madeleine, to seek refuge. However, she was eventually arrested during the persecutions of 1839. After refusing to renounce her beliefs despite severe torture, she died in prison or was executed during the autumn of that year.
Life and faith
Born in Seoul, Catherine lived a life centered on her religious convictions. Although she lacked formal theological training, her devotion influenced her family, including her husband and her children. She shared a close bond with her daughter, Madeleine, who also maintained a deep commitment to her faith. Seeking safety from local religious pressures, the two women relocated to the capital, where they briefly found shelter within the Catholic community.
Martyrdom and veneration
Catherine was arrested in the summer of 1839 alongside several other women. She remained steadfast in her convictions even when faced with intense physical suffering. She was beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and later canonized in Seoul in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, appearing among a group of 102 Korean martyrs. She is honored on September 20, a date shared by Korean martyrs, and individually on September 26.