A lay leader arrested in 1835 who spent nearly four years in prison and died there on November 25, 1838.
Life
Peter Yi Ho-yong was born in 1803. After embracing the faith he served as a lay leader (catechist) of the faithful, and he was arrested for his faith together with his elder sister, Agatha Yi So-sa.
During a long imprisonment he endured harsh interrogation and punishment but never renounced Christ. Comforting his fellow prisoners and holding on in prayer, he died in prison on November 25, 1838, just before the persecution of 1839 broke out in full.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Peter Yi Ho-yong is a faith that endures. His suffering was not a single day's ordeal but a long imprisonment with no end in sight, and through it all he kept trusting God. His death is a quiet but steadfast witness of fidelity.
Reflection
Peter Yi Ho-yong kept faith through a waiting that seemed to have no end. How do I respond when my prayers seem to go unanswered? Today, could I entrust my heart to the Lord once more, without giving up?