U Se-Yong was born in Korea in 1845 to a wealthy and noble family. By the time he was 16, he had heard about Catholicism, but when his father refused to let him be baptized, he snuck off to a remote Catholic village where he met the bishop who sent him to a catechist for preparation. When he was ready, the bishop baptized him and gave him the name Alexius. When he returned home, his angry family sent him away. Alexius went to live with his catechist, helped to translate catechism books, and prayed for his family’s conversion. He and other Catholics were arrested in 1866, and he denied his religion to get out of jail. He repented, burned all his belongings, went to the imprisoned bishop to confess, and was absolved. Authorities re-arrested and tortured him, but this time he did not deny his faith. He was martyred by beheading at the age of 22.
CHALLENGE
To prove his apostasy, St. Alexius U Se-Yong was forced to join in the beating death of an imprisoned Catholic catechist. He confessed to this as well as the apostasy, and after being given absolution, being in a state of grace gave him the courage to withstand martyrdom. No sin is too great for God to forgive. Repent, and go to confession.
Deepen your love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus! The Sacred Heart Book of Devotions is full of prayers, litanies, meditations, and hymns that will enflame your love for the Sacred Heart!
