About this place
Waegogae Shrine is a Catholic martyr shrine at the site of the chancery of the Military Ordinariate of Korea and the Armed Forces Central Cathedral in Yongsan, Seoul. The bodies of martyrs killed at Saenamteo and outside Seosomun during the Byeongin Persecution were buried here for many years, and the body of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon also rested here briefly before being moved to Mirinae.
Today it is a place of prayer and pilgrimage commemorating the martyrs’ faith and witness. It includes a martyrs’ memorial monument, a large cross, Stations of the Cross, and prayer spaces, and shares its address with the Armed Forces Central Cathedral.
History & origins
The name Waegogae derives from Wahyeon or Waseohyeon, names associated with a government facility that produced roof tiles and bricks in the area. Seven martyrs killed at Saenamteo during the Byeongin Persecution were buried here for 33 years, while two martyrs killed outside Seosomun remained here for 43 years. The body of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Korea’s first priest, martyred on September 16, 1846, also rested here briefly before being transferred to Mirinae after the persecution subsided.
In all, ten martyrs were buried at the site, eight of whom were canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on May 6, 1984. To express its significance in Korean Church history and support pilgrims’ prayer, the Military Ordinariate renovated and expanded the shrine in December 2013 with a martyrs’ memorial monument, a large cross, Stations of the Cross, and prayer spaces, followed by a blessing ceremony.
Korean Catholic Places Encyclopedia
Waegogae Shrine: history and architecture
Read about the place's history, architecture, people, and events in the Korean Catholic Places Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia articles are currently available in Korean.
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- 한국천주교주교회의 온라인 주소록
Diocese
Military Ordinariate (Military Ordinariate of Korea)
Official website: http://www.gunjong.or.kr
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