Neocatechumenal Pilgrims' Handbook

Baeron Shrine is one of the most important holysites of the Catholic Church in Korea, located in Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si,Chungcheongbuk-do. It is the site of the first Catholic seminary in Korea.During the persecutions of the late Joseon dynasty, seminarians secretlystudied here in preparation for the priesthood. In the Byung-in Persecution of1866, several martyrs emerged from this community, making it a cradle of faithwith a significant role in Korean Catholic history. Surrounded by forests and valleys,the area’s name, “Baeron,” means “a village sunken like the bottom of a boat.”Today, it is visited by many pilgrims who come to honor the devotion andwitness of the martyrs.

Information

Phone: 043-651-4527
Website: http://www.baeron.or.kr
Mass Time:
Mass Schedule
Daily: 11:00 AM
Guided tours available
Rental possible
Open: 9:00–17:00

About the Saint

Venerable Father 최양업 토마스(Thomas Choe Yang-eop, 1821–1861)

Thomas Choe Yang-eop was one of the first Koreanseminarians and the second Korean priest. Born in 1821 in Cheongju,Chungcheongbuk-do, he began his studies at Baeron Seminary at age twelve andwas later sent to the seminary in Macau during the Gihae Persecution of 1839.Ordained in 1849, he returned to Korea and ministered throughout the persecutedChurch, walking more than 5,000 kilometers and administering the sacraments toover 11,000 faithful over eleven years. He contributed to Church culture by translatinghymns into Korean. Exhausted by harsh conditions, he fell ill and died in 1861while in ministry. He is currently in the process of beatification.

Servant of God 황사영 알렉시오(Alexis Hwang Sa-yeong, 1775–1801)

Alexis Hwang Sa-yeong was a lay martyr who upheldthe Catholic faith during the late Joseon period. During the Shin-yuPersecution of 1801, he authored the Baekseo (“SilkLetter”), outlining strategies to restore the Church and appealing for supportfrom the Bishop of Beijing. He fled to the Baeron area (present-dayBongyang-eup) and hid in a cave while writing the letter, but he was capturedbefore it could be delivered. On December 10, 1801, he was executed bydismemberment outside Seosomun, giving his life in witness to the faith.