Father Bang Yu-Ryong Leo (Mua Andrew, 1900-1986) was born during the dark days of Japanese colonial rule when no dreams or hopes were possible and in the era when foreign missionaries led the Church in Korea; he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Mutel in Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul in October 1930.

He wanted to become a religious to get closer to God's love, but at that time, there were only foreign religious orders in Korea. He realized there was a need for a religious order that fit the Korean mind and spirit, namely, a “religious Congregation founded by a Korean” that could live out God's love more concretely here in this land.

On April 21, 1946, the first Easter Sunday after the liberation of Korea on August 15, 1945, and the centennial year of the martyrdom of Father Kim Dae-Geon Andrew, Father Bang Yu-Ryong founded the first religious congregation founded by a Korean (for which he had been preparing) at Kaesong Catholic Church. The co-founders, Sister Yun Byeong-Hyeon Teresa (Andrew), and Sister Hong Eun-Sun Mary Teresa (Lawrence), began the Congregation’s history together wearing the most humble Korean dress, a white Jeogori and black skirt.

Our Founder saw that the pulse of Korean religious life is to carry on the spirit of the Korean martyrs who are our ancestors in faith, so he named the Congregation “Sisters of the Blessed Korean Martyrs.” He declared the purpose of the Congregation to be to spread the Gospel of Christ in a spirit of fraternal love and martyrdom for the glory of God and the sanctification of each member of the Congregation, and he made the Korean martyrs the patron saints of the Congregation.

Founder: Fr. Bang Yu-Ryong Leo (Mu-A Andrew)
Co-founders: Sr. Mater Yun Byeong-Hyeon Teresa (Andrew) (Left)
and Sr. Pro-Mater Hong Eun-Sun Mary Teresa (Lawrence) (Right)