Martyred for the faith at Jeonju in the Gihae persecution, May 29, 1839. Beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014.
Life
Peter Yi Tae-gwon was a believer of the commoner (yangin) class. Seized in Jeolla Province in the Jeonghae persecution of 1827, he was imprisoned in Jeonju and endured many years there.
Through the harsh life of prison and repeated demands to apostatize, he did not deny God. On May 29, 1839, during the Gihae persecution, he was martyred at Jeonju with Peter Sin Tae-bo and other believers.
Pope Francis declared him Blessed on August 16, 2014.
Spirituality
The spirituality of Peter Yi Tae-gwon is the firm faith of an ordinary person. He claimed no high rank or learning, yet his heart toward God was as steady as anyone's. He shows that the depth of faith is measured not by status but by love.
Reflection
Peter Yi Tae-gwon was an ordinary man with unshakable faith. Do I think myself too small to bear witness? What small witness can I give from where I stand today?