Martyred for the faith at Daegu in the Jeonghae persecution, December 3, 1828. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Ambrose Kim Se-bak was a believer of the jungin (middle) class. When the Jeonghae persecution broke out in 1827 and he saw he could not escape the search, he went to the Andong office himself and declared that he was a Catholic; a month later he was transferred to Daegu.
Officials pressed him again and again, with punishment, to give up his faith, but he would not deny God. Enduring the hardships of prison, he completed the way of martyrdom at Daegu on December 3, 1828.
He was beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Ambrose Kim Se-bak is quiet endurance. Though no great deeds of his are recorded, he kept the faith through long days in prison, sustained by prayer. He shows that faithfulness to God is revealed not in loud words but in a heart that holds on day after day.
Reflection
Ambrose Kim Se-bak is not widely known, yet God remembers his faithfulness. Do I keep my faith even where no one notices? Why not offer one small prayer faithfully today?