722. From the Hands of Father Kim Tae-Gon, the Burning Spirit of Martyrdom Spread Through Every Corner of My Body

 💌 722. From the Hands of Father Kim Tae-Gon, the Burning Spirit of Martyrdom Spread Through Every Corner of My Body 

The day after we arrived in the Philippines—May 22—was the unveiling ceremony of the statue of Father Andrew Kim Tae-gon. It was said that Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, Archbishop Youn Kong-hi, and Bishop Kim Nam-soo would also be attending from Korea. The faithful of Lolomboy were filled with deep reverence for Father Kim Tae-gon. Seeing him honored in a distant foreign land filled me with such pride that tears of emotion welled up and began to fall before I even realized it. 

All around the streets, banners announcing the unveiling of Father Kim’s statue were displayed, and many of the faithful wore T-shirts printed with a portrait of Father Andrew. I was given several of them myself. Just as I had unpacked at the hotel and was about to go to bed, I received a call from Father Oh. “Julia, make sure to wear your most beautiful hanbok tomorrow. We have arranged for you to present the gift to the bishop. Got it?”

“Dear Father, I am not worthy enough for that. Could you not ask another sister instead?” “Who could be better than you, Julia? Obey me, okay?” Though I did not want to be in the spotlight, I answered with a heart of obedience, “Yes, I will, Father.” The next day, just as Father had said, I dressed neatly in a rainbow-striped jeogori and a bright red skirt for the unveiling ceremony.

From the moment I arrived at the holy site, I could not take my eyes off the statue of Father Kim Tae-gon, wrapped in white cloth. I kept gazing at it without looking away. As the unveiling ceremony began, I cried out fervently, “Saint Kim Tae-gon! Please speak a word. I, an unworthy sinner, deeply revere and love you, Father. So I beg you—implant within my burning soul your noble spirit of martyrdom.

I remember the day this unworthy sinner spoke of you at the second station in Docho, on July 5, 1984—the feast day of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest and Martyr, and patron of Korean clergy. You, together with the Lord, helped me greatly, melting the hearts of the islanders—hearts that had been frozen harder than ice—as gently as spring snow melting in the sun. Father Kim Tae-gon, I love you!” And the moment my prayer ended, the cloth covering the statue of Saint Kim Tae-gon came loose and fell.

But at that very moment, I was so astonished that I could not even move a finger. It was not that my body was paralyzed—I had been drawn into a state of profound ecstasy. And there, exactly where the statue had stood, was Father Kim Tae-gon himself—radiantly alive, clothed in golden light. He stood tall and dignified, wearing a white alb with a red stole, and on his head, a traditional Korean gat (a black hat with a wide brim, symbolizing dignity during the Joseon Dynasty).

In his hand, he held a palm branch used to drive out devils, and angels stood around him in attendance. Then, Saint Kim Tae-gon looked at me with a warm, gentle smile and spoke in a voice that was both powerful and kind.

“Blessed daughter who has received special graces for the glory of Our Lord! Even when this world infected with errors does not understand you, persecutes and annoys you, you will inherit happiness in the eternal heavenly family with me in the next world, if you go forward unswervingly with the spirit of martyrdom following the Heavenly Mother who always leads you through the shortcut.

Therefore, even if the way of love that little ones should walk is the way of the cross that is difficult, painful, lonesome, and narrow, I wish that you offer it up as a martyr for the sake of the Lord. Hold my hand promptly. Together with the Heavenly Mother, I will also help you.” As Father Kim Tae-gon said this, he reached out his hand. In that moment, I quickly grasped the saint’s hand. It was burning hot, like a flame.

The burning energy transmitted through our clasped hands spread throughout every corner of my entire body, inflaming my soul and body with the spirit of fiery martyrdom. Overwhelmed with joy, I could not utter a single word and simply shed tears of deep emotion. How much time had passed? Before I knew it, Saint Andrew Kim had gently ascended into the sky with the angels, and only the statue of the saint was left standing alone in that place.

At that moment, Father Oh urgently called out, “Julia, Julia! What are you doing? Hurry and come out to present the gift to the Bishop!” Though my hands, feet, and entire body were still trembling and had not yet calmed down, I went out and presented the prepared gift, then returned. “Oh Lord, my Beloved! I thank You. As I have held the burning hand of the saint whom I have so deeply respected, loved, and followed, I now solemnly promise to embrace martyrdom,” I firmly resolved.

That day, I met Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan and Archbishop Yoon Gong-hee, and both of them were overjoyed to see me. Archbishop Yoon asked with a smile, “Julia, are you here as the representative of Korea—or perhaps of the Archdiocese of Gwangju?” So, I replied with a smile, “The true representatives are Your Eminence and Your Excellency.” They both kindly asked to take a photo with me, so I first took one with Cardinal Kim and Archbishop Yoon together, and then another with just Archbishop Yoon.

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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