During the Korean War 1950 – 1953 the Korean people endured unimaginable sufferings and losses. At the beginning of that Conflict, seven young Columban priests opted to stay with their parishioners and not abandon them in their pain and loss. These men paid the ultimate price and joined countless martyrs of the young Korean church.
This year, 2020, is the 70th Anniversary of their deaths.
The Columbans who died in 1950 were:
The names of these seven young priests were inscribed in the Book of Martyrs presented to Pope John Paul 11 at a ceremony in the Coliseum in Rome in 2000 commemorating Martyrs of the 20th Century.
On Wednesday August 28th 2013 the Cause of the Seven Columban priests was opened – they are among the eighty – one Modern Martyrs of Korea.
Every Sunday throughout the Diocese of Seoul at the beginning of Mass the people offer a prayer for the beatification of the Columban Martyrs.
The prayer on their prayer card reads…
Prayer for the Columban Priest Martyrs
God, in the midst of ideological conflict and the wound of division, when all the rivers and mountains were engulfed in the gunfire of war, we thank you for sending good shepherds, faithful witnesses to show us that love is greater than hate.In your mercy, bless your faithful servants and through their intercession hear our prayers. St Columban Pray for us. Amen.