Martyred for the faith at Deoksan in the Jeongsa persecution, 1799. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Peter Jeong San-pil was the leader (hoejang) of the Catholic community in the Deoksan area of Chungcheong Province. Gathering believers to pray together and share the teachings of the faith, he kept the community's faith alive in a time when there were almost no priests.
During the Jeongsa persecution he was arrested as a believer and harshly interrogated. Yet he never denied God, and he was martyred at Deoksan in 1799. The exact date of his death has not come down to us.
On August 16, 2014, Pope Francis beatified him among Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companion martyrs.
Spirituality
Peter Jeong San-pil's spirituality is the responsibility of a layman who kept a priestless community alive. He maintained a place where believers could gather to pray and learn. He shows that the Church lives not by clergy alone but by the dedication of all the laity who share the faith.
Reflection
Peter Jeong San-pil kept his community's place of prayer alive when there were no priests. Do I value the small groups and ministries of my parish? This month, let us gladly join one community gathering.