Martyred for the faith at Cheongju in the Byeongin persecution, March 27, 1866. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Paul O Ban-ji was a lay Catholic. When the Byeongin persecution began in 1866 and believers were being seized across the country, he too was arrested and taken to Cheongju in Chungcheong Province.
Faced with the demand to abandon his faith, he did not deny God, and he was martyred at Cheongju on March 27, 1866. Few details of his life survive, but his witness reflects the steadfast faith of the Church in Chungcheong in the early days of the Byeongin persecution.
Pope Francis declared him Blessed on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Paul O Ban-ji is decisiveness in the hour of trial. As a great persecution was just beginning and everything was fearful and uncertain, he stood firmly on God's side. He shows how everyday prayer becomes courage in the decisive moment.
Reflection
Paul O Ban-ji stood on God's side as a fearful persecution began. Do I have a habit of prayer that will hold me when sudden trouble comes? Why not begin and end today with a short morning and evening prayer?