Blessed Iacobus Chu Munmo

Biography

Blessed Iacobus Chu Munmo, also known as Jacob Chu Mun-mo, James Zhou Wen-mo, and Zhou Wenmo, was born in 1752 in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother, who instilled in him a deep sense of faith.

At some point in his life, Chu Munmo converted to Catholicism and felt a strong calling to serve God as a priest. He pursued his studies at the diocesan seminary in Beijing, becoming one of the first priests to be ordained in China.

During this time, Christianity had started gaining ground in Korea through lay people who learned about the faith from books and letters written by missionaries in China. Father James, as he was often called, felt compelled to bring the Gospel to the people of Korea.

On December 24, 1794, Father James courageously crossed the border into Korea, becoming the first priest to set foot in the country. He devoted himself to studying the Korean language and culture. On Easter Sunday, 1795, he celebrated his first Mass in Korea. As news of his presence spread, the authorities began searching for him.

Blessed Paulus Yun Yu-il, Blessed Matthaeus Choe In-gil, and Blessed Sabas Ji Hwang, all holy individuals who helped Father James hide, were eventually captured and martyred for their assistance. Despite the risks, Father James continued to move from place to place, ministering to covert Christians.

Father James's dedication was unwavering, and he even compiled a catechism in Korean to aid in the teaching of the faith. He organized classes in Scripture and doctrine, and as a result, thousands of people were introduced to Christianity.

However, in 1801, the government intensified its persecution of Christians, arresting and torturing lay people in an attempt to discover Father James's whereabouts. To protect the innocent from further harm, Father James made the courageous decision to surrender to the authorities on March 11, 1801.

Over the next ten weeks, Father James endured countless interrogations and torturous treatment. Despite these hardships, he remained steadfast in his faith, speaking only of Christ and spreading the message of the Gospel.

Finally, on May 31, 1801, Father James was beheaded near the Han River in Saenamteo, Seoul, South Korea. It is said that at the moment of his execution, the skies darkened and a fierce hailstorm erupted, drawing attention to the sanctity of the occasion.

Blessed Iacobus Chu Munmo, recognized as a martyr for his unwavering commitment to his Catholic faith, was beatified by Pope Francis on August 15, 2014. His feast days are celebrated on May 31 and September 20 as one of the Martyrs of Korea.

Through his courageous ministry and ultimate sacrifice, Blessed Iacobus Chu Munmo played a significant role in the establishment and growth of the Catholic Church in Korea, leaving a lasting impact on the faith community.