Marian devotion
In the city of Gimje, the parish of Yochon unites two memories that illuminate each other: that of Mary conceived without original sinHis patron, and the faithfulness to the death of Blessed Han Jeong@-@ heum, martyred in this region in 1801.
Official address: The Virgin Mary conceived without original sin.
Temple: 요촌성당 · Yochon Catholic Church.
Place of pilgrimage: The Shrine of the Martyrs of Gimje, within the parish area.
Address: 253-16 Slip-gil, Gimme-si, Jeonbuk 54408, Corea del Sur.
Parish Erection: June 16, 1935.
Transfer to the current site: May 1951.
New temple and parish house: 1955.
Yochon name: adopted in 1984, when the parish of Sinpung was erected.
Jurisdiction: Jeonju diocesis, second district.
Verified building coordinates: 35.79838, 126.88931.
A confirmed parish advocation
The directory of the Korean Episcopal Conference expressly identifies the Unbelievable as a patron of Yochon. The translation describes the Virgin conceived without original sin, that is, the Immaculate Conception.
There is no Marian apparition, a private message or a miraculous image. The documented reality is a parish placed under this title of Mary and linked to a martyrdom sanctuary.
What the Immaculate Conception means
The Church confesses that Mary, through the unique grace of God and in attention to the merits of Jesus Christ, was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception. It was not left out of redemption: it was redeemed by Christ in the most complete way.
Grace received and freedom
Mary's privilege comes entirely from God. The full of grace answered freely, "Let it be done in me according to your word." In it, the gift received becomes available to serve.
Marian devotion does not replace Christ. He leads to Him and teaches to receive His grace with faith, humility and responsibility.
Hope for sin
Benedict XVI explained that the Immaculate One shows that grace is stronger than sin. His purity does not invite him to despise those who have fallen, but to trust in mercy and to undertake a true conversion.
Christian holiness never covers abuses. Recognize evil, protect victims, repair the damage and prevent their repetition are part of the real path.
From community dependent to parish
Yochon was born from the community of Suryu and was raised to parish 16 June 1935. The historical sources then call it the parish of Gimje.
His erection provided stable pastoral care to an extensive rural area. The later history shows a community that accompanied the birth and development of other Catholic presences.
The transfer and church of 1955
The diocesan itinerary of 2025 documents that the first church was in Geomsan-ri. In May 1951 the parish moved to the present place, on a land where there had previously been a Buddhist temple called Daesawon.
In 1955, the church and the parish house were built. To mention the previous use of the land does not allow for disqualification of another religion: it is a historical fact that must be treated with respect.
The current name since 1984
When the parish of Sinpung was established in 1984, the former parish of Gimje was renamed Yochon. This change helps to distinguish the communities that appeared with urban and pastoral growth.
Historical names may vary between directories and stories. This fact sheet therefore retains the dates and denominations supported by diocesan documentation.
El beato Han Jeong-heum
Han Jeong-heum, also called Han Seong@-@ heum and baptized Istanbul, was born in 1756 in a noble family of Gimje. He knew the Catholic faith while teaching the children of Yu Hang@-@ geom and later lived as a committed Christian.
During the persecution of 1801 he was arrested with Yu Hang-geom. He suffered interrogations and torments in Jeonju and was transferred to Seoul, where he was retried.
Fidelity to death
The diocese reports that, condemned for persevering in the Catholic faith, it was returned to its region. He died beheaded in Gimje on the 18th of the seventh lunar month of 1801, at the age of 45.
His memory is attached to that of Choe Yeo- gyeom Matías and Kim Cheon- ae Andrés, prison partners with whom he encouraged each other. Han Jeong-heum was beatified along with other Korean martyrs in 2014.
A close place, not an absolute identification
The diocese states with caution that the place of execution is is near the old presidency or market located under the hillside where today is Yochon. It does not present the temple's site as an archeologically proven point of execution.
The Shrine of the Martyrs of Gimje
The diocese of Jeonju recognizes the compound of Yochon as the Sanctuary of the Martyrs of Gimje. There a memorial has been raised to the Blessed and pilgrims who wish to know their testimony are welcomed.
The pilgrimage should not turn suffering into a spectacle. Its meaning is to listen to consciousness, to pray for those suffering persecution and to commit to religious freedom and human dignity.
Mary with the witnesses of Christ
The Immaculate Patron recalls the primacy of grace; the martyr shows a persistent response to that grace. Mary does not take the place of the witness or the martyr of Christ: both refer to the Saviour.
In a community that retains a memory of persecution, Marian devotion can educate for the strength without hatred and for reconciliation that does not erase historical truth.
A living community
The episcopal directory records 2,430 faithful, a dependent community and presence of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. These are pastoral data subject to change and should be read as a photograph of the moment of update.
The official phone is 063-544-0151. The diocese indicates that they can celebrate masses for groups of pilgrims, but it is appropriate to agree with the parish.
verified location for the map
The official address is 253-16 Sinung-gil, Gimje-si. OpenStreetMap delimits the Catholic building of Yochon as a religious building and places it in 35.79838, 126.88931.
The name, direction and geometry of the temple have been contrasted. The marker corresponds to the current enclosure, not to the center of Gimje or to an estimate of the place of martyrdom.
To visit and pray
Before travelling it is advisable to call to confirm access and schedules. In the enclosure the liturgy, silence, parish activities and privacy of the faithful must be respected.
The pilgrim can ask Mary for a clean heart, remember Blessed Han Jeong@-@ heum and pray for those who are persecuted, imprisoned or raped today because of his conscience.
Prayer to the Immaculate Conception of Yochon
Mary Immaculate, patron of Yochon, you received everything from the grace of God and responded with faith. Teach us to follow Jesus Christ with freedom and truth. Hold those who are persecuted, comfort their families and keep the memory of Blessed Han Jeong@-@ heum. May his faithfulness not feed hatred, but courage, justice and reconciliation. Protect the community of Gimje and make us humble servants of the dignity of every person. Amen.
Sources consulted
- Episcopal Conference of Korea: official record of Yochon.
- Good News Catholic: corroboration of the parish record.
- Diocese of Jeonju: Sanctuary of the Martyrs of Gimje.
- Diocese of Jeonju: historical itinerary of Gimje and Yochon.
- Diocese of Jeonju: diocesan historical documentation.
- OpenStreetMap: building and temple coordinates.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 490-493.
- Benedict XVI: The meaning of the Immaculate Conception.
- Mapping tested by name and address.
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