Thefirst Catholic of the Jeolla region, he was a cousin of Blessed Paul YunJi-chung. His sons—복자 유중철 요한(Blessed John Yu Jung-cheol) and 복자 유문석 요한(Blessed John Yu Mun-seok)—were martyred during the Shin-yu Persecution; thefollowing year, his daughter-in-law 복자 이순이 루갈다(Blessed Ludgerie Yi Sun-i) was also martyred. 복자 유중성 마태오(Blessed Matthew Yu Jung-seong), martyred in 1802, was his nephew. BlessedAugustine laid the foundations of the Church in the Honam region and carriedout evangelization with Father James Zhou Wen-mo. Accused as the leader of theJeolla Church, he was executed by dismemberment outside Jeonju’s South Gate atage 45.

Atage sixteen, he received his first Holy Communion from Father James ZhouWen-mo. At that time he expressed his desire to live a life of chastity to boththe priest and his father. Later, Father Zhou was asked to help a young womanin Hanyang—이순이 루갈다(Ludgerie Yi Sun-i)—preserve her vow of virginity.Father Zhou arranged their marriage with John Yu in mind, and the coupleprofessed vows of chastity before his parents, choosing to live as brother andsister. Duringthe Shin-yu Persecution he was arrested and imprisoned in Jeonju, where he wasmartyred by hanging at age 22. After his death, a small note was found in hisclothing addressed to his imprisoned wife, reading: “I encourage, advise, andconsole my sister (Lugarda). Let us meet again in heaven.”

Ludgeriedevoted herself entirely to the Eucharist and to a life of virtue, firmlyresolving to remain a virgin. In Joseon society, however, it was extremelydifficult for a woman to live unmarried. Her mother respected her decision, andthrough Father James Zhou Wen-mo she married John Yu. Shemoved with her husband to his hometown of Chonami in Jeonju, where the coupleprofessed their vow of chastity before his parents and lived the rest of theirlives as brother and sister. Whenever her husband struggled with the vow, shestrengthened him through prayer and meditation. She was martyred by beheadingat age 20.

Whenarrested together with his relatives, Matthew Yu asked to be executed“according to the law.” He said, “Catholicism is the faith handed down in ourfamily. My uncles, including Augustine Yu Hang-geom, died gloriously; I wishonly to die with them. What more is there to say?” Hewas martyred by beheading along with his relatives. He was about eighteen yearsold.