Korean layman who kept the faith in the persecution of 1846 and was martyred on September 20, 1846.
Life
Lawrence Han I-hyong was born in 1799. After embracing the faith, he served as a catechist leader caring for the believers.
Hearing in July 1846 that the police would raid Euni village, he sent his family to safety and stayed behind alone, and was arrested. Already badly beaten, he refused to ride a horse and, imitating Jesus carrying His cross, walked barefoot more than a hundred ri to Seoul.
He was martyred in prison on September 20, 1846.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Lawrence Han I-hyong is love that walks the Lord's way of the cross. He sent his family to safety first and stayed behind alone to face the danger. Dragged off barefoot with a wounded body, he kept his eyes on Jesus going up to Calvary and made that suffering a prayer offered to the Lord. As a lay leader, he taught the faith to others more by his life than by his words.
Reflection
Lawrence Han I-hyong walked the road of suffering in imitation of Jesus carrying His cross. What cross am I carrying right now? Why not join it to the Lord's cross today and offer it in prayer?