Martyred for the faith at Jeonju in the Sinhae persecution, December 8, 1791. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
James Kwon Sang-yeon, born in 1751, was a yangban scholar and a cousin of Paul Yun Ji-chung. Devoted to learning, he received the faith through Yun Ji-chung and came to value serving God above a career in office.
When Yun Ji-chung's mother died in 1791, he stood with his cousin, holding a Catholic funeral and not keeping the ancestral tablets. When an arrest order was issued he went into hiding for a time, but then gave himself up with Yun Ji-chung at the Jinsan office; transferred to the Jeonju provincial office, he endured harsh interrogation but never wavered in his faith.
On December 8, 1791, he was beheaded at Jeonju alongside Paul Yun Ji-chung, becoming one of the first martyrs of the Church in Korea.
Spirituality
James Kwon Sang-yeon's spirituality is the faithfulness of a companion who stays to the end. He walked the same road as the cousin with whom he shared the faith. He quietly shows that faith is kept not alone but together.
Reflection
James Kwon Sang-yeon walked with his companion in faith to the very end. Who walks the road of faith beside me? Why not pray for that person today and tell them you are grateful?