Martyred for the faith at Yeoju in the Sinyu persecution, January 30, 1802. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Barnabas Jeong Gwang-su was a believer of yangban birth who, as a lay leader, supported the faith life of fellow believers. He provided places where the faithful could gather and worked hard to help the Church.
Hiding from place to place during the Sinyu persecution of 1801, he gave himself up to the police as a Catholic when the net closed in. Unbending under punishment at the police headquarters and the Hyeongjo in Seoul, he was sent back to his home town of Yeoju and martyred there on January 30, 1802.
He was beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
Barnabas Jeong Gwang-su's spirituality is a faith that makes room for the community to gather. He helped believers pray and learn together, keeping to a path of faith walked not alone but together. He showed by his life that the Church is not a building but the people who gather to pray together.
Reflection
Barnabas Jeong Gwang-su helped believers gather together. Is there someone in our community who has drifted away and is alone? This week, let us invite that person to a small community or parish gathering.