Korean laywoman who kept the faith in the persecution of 1839 and was martyred on February 1, 1840.
Life
Barbara Choe Yong-i was born in 1819, the daughter of the lay leader Peter Choe Chang-hub and Magdalena Son So-byok. She married Charles Cho Shin-chol and had a son, carrying into her own life the faith she had learned from her devout parents.
Arrested in the Gihae persecution of 1839, she endured severe torture at a young age and kept her faith. After her father and mother were martyred before her, she was beheaded at Danggogae in Seoul on February 1, 1840.
Spirituality
Barbara Choe Yong-i's spirituality is the faithfulness of one who brought to completion in her own life the faith received from her parents. Raised in a family of faith, she formed a family of faith in turn, and followed to the end the road her parents had walked.
Reflection
Barbara Choe carried the faith she received from her parents into her own family. From whom did I receive my heritage of faith? Today, remember those who handed on the faith to you and offer a prayer of thanks.