Saint Pierre Aumaître

Biography

Saint Pierre Aumaître was born on 8 April 1837 in Aizecq, Charente, France. He was the eldest of five children in a peasant family, with his father working as a farmer and his mother as a seamstress. From an early age, Pierre felt a strong calling to the priesthood. Pierre's journey towards priesthood was not easy, but he was determined to follow his vocation. He walked seven miles a day to take Latin lessons as part of his preparation. In 1852, he entered the Petit Séminaire de Richemont near Cognac, France, and furthered his studies at the Société des Missions Etrangères (Paris Foreign Missions Society) seminary in Paris in 1857. After years of preparation, Pierre was ordained a priest on 14 June 1862. Following his ordination, he dedicated himself to missionary work in Korea. On 18 August 1862, he embarked on a journey to Korea and arrived the following year in June 1863. In order to effectively minister to the Koreans, Pierre studied the language and customs in Seoul and Saemgol. Pierre had the privilege of working closely with Saint Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy and his bishop, Saint Siméon-François Berneux, both inspirational figures in the history of Korean Catholicism. Together, they shared the mission of spreading the Christian faith and supporting the growing Catholic community in Korea. In 1866, Pierre's dedication and commitment to his faith led him to make a sacrificial decision to protect his parishioners from government authorities. To prevent them from being interrogated and abused, he chose to surrender himself in March of that year. Pierre was subsequently taken to Seoul, imprisoned, and subjected to intense torture. His tormentors sought to break his spirit and renounce his faith, but Pierre remained steadfast in his beliefs. His unwavering devotion to his calling and the Catholic Church ultimately led to his execution. Pierre Aumaître was martyred and beheaded on 30 March 1866 in Galmaemot, Boryeong, Chungcheong-do, South Korea. After his execution, Pierre's body was buried in the sand at the execution site. However, his remains were later recovered and given a proper burial in the cathedral in Seoul, South Korea. Some relics of the saint can be found in the Salle des Martyrs des Missions Étrangères in Paris, France. Saint Pierre Aumaître was recognized as a martyr for his faith and his work. His martyrdom was officially acknowledged by Pope Paul VI on 4 July 1968. Furthermore, he was beatified by Pope Paul VI on 6 October 1968 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on 6 May 1984. Throughout his life and ministry, Saint Pierre Aumaître exemplified unwavering dedication, selfless service, and immense courage in sharing the Gospel and supporting the Catholic community in Korea. His feast days are celebrated on 30 March and 20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea. Although he does not have a designated patronage, his legacy continues to inspire and serve as a testament to the enduring power of faith.