Martyred for the faith at Daegu in the Eulhae persecution, December 19, 1816. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Joseph Go Seong-un was a believer who did not marry and kept the faith as a single man. In the Eulhae Persecution of 1815 he was arrested together with believers of Gyeongsang Province and taken to Daegu.
He did not abandon his faith despite long suffering in the Daegu prison, and he was martyred there on December 19, 1816, together with Peter Go Seong-dae and several other believers. He was beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
Joseph Go Seong-un's spirituality is the silent obedience to God's will of his patron, St. Joseph. He left no great record, yet he walked the path given to him quietly and stayed faithful to the end. His quiet faithfulness reminds us that God delights more in a faithful heart than in impressive achievements.
Reflection
Joseph Go Seong-un was faithful without words. Do I give my best even to tasks no one sees? Today, let us carry out our duties faithfully where no one is watching.