The Cloud of Educator Witnesses
One of the most beautiful things about being Catholic is the constant support and presence of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that surround us.
Particularly during the school year, teachers can often feel as though they’re living the same day over and over again – and sometimes without seeing any progress or change in students or the challenges being faced. Drawing on the wisdom of the saints is a powerful way to be renewed in perseverance in and dedication to the mission in front of us. Their wisdom reminds us of the infinite – and ever-new – reality of our faith in the living and present Jesus.
As Catholic Educators, we follow a long line of many wonderful saints who were educators themselves or whose wisdom specifically illuminates the vocation of teaching. To name just a few: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Bosco, St. Elizabeth Seton — these are likely familiar names to you!
However, one of the privileges of being Catholic is that we can always discover hidden saints who have been unknown to us, and whose stories knock us back in our seats and inspire us to live our mission more fervently.
The Catholic Church in Korea – Struck Down but Not Destroyed
Today, we are looking at the story of Saint Francis Choe Kyong-hwan and Blessed Maria Yi Seong-rye, a husband and wife who lived in 19th century Korea. In contrast to the thousands of years of church history in the Middle East and Europe, the Catholic Church in Korea was founded in the 1780s in secret — a relatively short time ago in the Church’s history. The ruling dynasty of the day, the Joseon Dynasty, began a full-scale assault on the Catholic church in Korea at the turn of the nineteenth century. In 1801, this began with the execution of 300 Korean Catholics under the newly appointed King Sunjo. Catholicism was in direct opposition to the values of Neo-Confucianism, the religion of the day in Korea, and jeopardized the established social hierarchical system. By the time Catholics in Korea were granted the freedom to practice the faith in the 1880s, over 10,000 Korean Catholics had been martyred.
Francis and Maria were humble farmers who worked their fields and tended to their family. However, under the persecution in the nineteenth century, Francis established a secret Catholic school to strengthen and grow the faith in his community. At night, Francis, risking his life, would secretly educate his own children and other members of the community.
When the school was discovered, members of the community faced terrible persecution.
Francis instructed his students to hide their sacramentals, so they would not be desecrated, but not their books, since they were essential weapons for warfare. Eventually, soldiers came to arrest the group, and Francis welcomed them. He offered them shelter and food and accepted arrest peacefully with his wife. Shortly after, Francis suffered martyrdom, and his wife Maria, who had been tortured, renounced her faith upon hearing of his death. However, she repented shortly after and was also martyred. Francis and Maria’s oldest son, Thomas Choe Yangeop, became the second Korean-born priest and went on to minister to rural Korean communities. There is a case open for Thomas’ canonization as well.
From 19th Century Korea to Modern Day Canada
While our Canadian Catholic educators might not be in jeopardy of the same type of martyrdom – the courage required to remain steadfast in our faith and in this mission of Catholic Education, is equally essential.
Our role as Catholic Educators is to safeguard and protect our Catholic Schools against all that is in opposition of our young people’s wellbeing and faith. As we engage in the modern-day battles which threaten our Catholic schools – it’s essential that each of us is convicted, like Francis and Maria, of the importance of Catholic Education and its vital role in passing on the faith.
When we read stories like this one about the martyrs – particularly those who had a similar vocation to us in education, we’re reminded of the fervor with which Catholic Education has been handed on to us. While the years of serving Catholic Education can blend together and the repeated tasks, cyclical, learning about such saints as Francis and Maria reminds us that our faith – and the passing on of it – is something that many have lived and died for over the centuries.
Ready your Battle Weapons
Because of the nature of the circumstances of Francis’ life, we don’t have a lot of writings from him, nor many details about his life. However, we do have a quote from him on the importance of intentional study:
“A soldier going to war needs his battle instructions … At a time like this we must study all the books more earnestly.”
One of the things we can draw from Francis’ life and wisdom is that we are still at war.
In the last decade, we’ve seen an unprecedented increase in students with mental health problems, broken family circumstances, hesitation about who and what to trust and mass confusion about what it means to be human. The Catholic School is meant to be a haven, protecting young Canadians who need the Gospel. The attack on our young people these days is substantial – and our role as Catholic educators is to stand firm in defense of our youth.
As we strive this year to protect this mission of Catholic Education, it’s essential that we draw from the strength of our faith. Picking up the dusty catechism to learn more about the “why” behind our creed can breathe life into our religion classes and Catholic Education conferences. Cutting out time in the day to turn off our phones and open the Bible can help us know the person of Christ. Making the Mass and Eucharist our own safe-haven will give us the strength to continue standing in the battle-zone between our young people and all that is attacking them. Like these Korean saints, we have to be aware that we’re in a battle and hold firmly to our faith.
May each of us involved in Catholic Education be renewed and inspired by Francis and Maria and ask for their help and intercession of our Canadian Catholic Schools and all working in this mission. These (perhaps new to us) saints, Francis and Maria know the struggles we face and are defenders of Catholic Schools, so let us ask for their intercession and guidance as we continue to discern how to live and defend the mission of Catholic Education today.
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