St. Andrew Kim Taegon Novena
Pray the St. Andrew Kim Taegon Novena with daily reflections and original prayers. Learn its feast, intentions, biblical roots, and how Catholics explain the devotion.
Feast: September 20 — Korean Martyrs · Length: 9 days
This guide uses nine days ending the day before the feast date named here. It is an optional devotional schedule, not a universal obligation; local calendars may differ.
Common intentions: Korea, priests and seminarians, families, persecuted Christians, perseverance
What is this novena?
Andrew’s life joined priestly formation with pastoral service to a local Church living under persecution. This novena prays for the Korean people and for everyone who forms, supports, or serves Catholic communities. It is an optional devotion and not a promise of a specific outcome.
History and origin
Andrew Kim Taegon was ordained in Shanghai in 1845 and returned to serve Catholics in Korea. He was martyred in 1846 and is commemorated with Korean companions on September 20. These daily prayers are original Catholic Explained compositions, not traditional texts attributed to him.
Are novenas biblical?
Scripture does not command a particular modern nine-day prayer booklet. It does teach persistent prayer: Jesus encourages perseverance in Luke 18:1, and Acts 1:14 describes the disciples praying together with Mary before Pentecost. Catholics connect that prayerful waiting with the later novena tradition. The biblical principle is perseverance; the particular devotional form is a way of practicing it, not a substitute for the Gospel or the sacraments.
Who are Catholics praying to?
Catholics worship God alone. Asking a saint to pray with us is not asking that saint to replace Jesus or to act independently of him. The Church understands those who live in Christ as members of his Body, and Revelation 5:8 depicts the prayers of the holy ones in heaven. This supports Catholic belief in heavenly intercession as part of a wider biblical and traditional argument; it does not mean one verse prescribes every modern devotion.
What to Say
“I’m asking St. Andrew Kim Taegon and the Korean martyrs to pray with me, not worshiping a creature instead of God. A novena gives me nine days to bring a need to Jesus with perseverance. It doesn’t guarantee a result or take the place of living my faith.”
Prayer authorship and devotional notes
The daily reflections, intentions, and prayers on this page are original Catholic Explained compositions. They are not attributed to the saint, presented as an official liturgical text, or claimed to be the only traditional form. Established traditional wording may be followed through the linked sources where available. A novena is an optional devotion, not a sacrament or a guarantee. If you miss a day, continue calmly; you do not have to restart out of fear.
Day 1 of 9: A vocation formed in faith
1 Samuel 3:1–10Reflection
Andrew’s vocation grew within a Catholic family and community. A calling is discerned over time with prayer, formation, and the help of others.
Intention
People discerning priesthood and religious life.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
God who calls, guide those discerning a vocation. Give them trustworthy mentors and freedom to answer you with generosity.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 2 of 9: Study for service
2 Timothy 3:14–17Reflection
Andrew traveled for priestly formation before returning home to serve. Study can become an act of love when it prepares a person to teach and care well.
Intention
Seminarians, teachers, and students of the faith.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Lord, bless those preparing for ministry. Help me learn patiently and use knowledge to serve rather than to impress.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 3 of 9: A local Church
1 Corinthians 12:12–20Reflection
Korean Catholics sustained the faith within their own communities. Every local Church has gifts that should be recognized, not overshadowed.
Intention
The Catholic Church in Korea and Asian Catholic communities.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Holy Spirit, strengthen local Churches and their leaders. Teach the wider Church to listen, share gifts, and honor local witness.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 4 of 9: Family witness
Deuteronomy 6:4–9Reflection
Andrew’s family experienced persecution, yet faith continued through teaching and memory. Families need support, not pressure to carry every burden alone.
Intention
Families passing on faith amid uncertainty.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Father, bless families who teach their children to pray. Surround them with communities that offer real help and patient encouragement.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 5 of 9: Pastoral care under pressure
John 10:11–16Reflection
Andrew’s brief priesthood was devoted to serving Catholics in difficult circumstances. Pastoral care requires attention to people, not only plans or institutions.
Intention
Priests and pastoral workers serving isolated communities.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Jesus the Good Shepherd, protect those who care for your people. Give them wisdom, rest, and companions who support their ministry.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 6 of 9: Persevering in hope
Romans 5:1–5Reflection
Christian hope does not deny suffering. It helps believers remain faithful while seeking justice, support, and the good of their neighbors.
Intention
Christians facing hostility or restrictions on worship.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Lord, give hope to those who cannot worship freely. Lead them to safety and trustworthy help, and move others to stand beside them.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 7 of 9: Remember the companions
Hebrews 13:1–3Reflection
Andrew is remembered with 102 Korean companions, including women and laypeople. Their lives remind us to notice those whose names are less familiar.
Intention
Lay Catholics and women whose service strengthens the Church.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
God of communion, remember every faithful witness. Help me honor people who serve without public recognition.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 8 of 9: Unity in the Church
Ephesians 4:1–6Reflection
The saints’ shared feast places different lives within one communion. Unity does not erase differences; it calls Christians to patience and mutual care.
Intention
Catholic communities seeking reconciliation and unity.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
Father, make us one in faith and charity. Help me listen generously, speak truthfully, and work for reconciliation.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 9 of 9: Serving after prayer
James 2:14–18Reflection
Prayer should shape concrete action. As the novena ends, choose a practical way to support a parish, vocation, or person in need.
Intention
The Korean Church and all who serve the Gospel.
Original Catholic Explained prayer
God our Father, through St. Andrew Kim Taegon and the Korean martyrs, strengthen the Church in faithful service. Help me put prayer into action. Amen.
Closing prayer
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Questions about praying a novena
Can I start this novena at any time?
Yes. You can begin a personal nine-day prayer whenever you need it. The displayed feast preparation window is a devotional calendar choice, not a requirement. Your personal progress is separate from that calendar.
What if I miss a day?
Continue calmly. A novena is a private devotion, not a magic formula or a test you fail by missing a day. You may pray the missed day and continue without restarting out of fear.
Are these prayers a guaranteed way to receive what I ask for?
No. Prayer seeks God’s will rather than control over him. You may ask confidently while continuing responsible action, sacramental life, and appropriate help.
Who wrote the prayers on this page?
Catholic Explained wrote these reflections, intentions, and prayers. They are clearly identified as original compositions, not words attributed to a saint or the only traditional form of the devotion. Follow the cited devotional resources for traditional wording where available.
Sources
- Vatican News — Korean Church Marks St. Andrew Kim’s Anniversary
- Luke 18 — perseverance in prayer
- Acts 1 — the disciples gathered in prayer
- Revelation 5 — the prayers of the holy ones
- Catechism, CCC 2725–2745 — the battle of prayer
Keep learning
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