Over the years, numerous members of the college’s faculty and alumni embraced martyrdom, with several ultimately being canonized as saints.
| Name | Martyred | Place | Beatified | Canonized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert / St. Imbert | 1839 | Korea | 1925 | 1984 |
| Jacques-Honoré Chastan / St. Chastan | 1839 | Korea | 1925 | 1984 |
| Philip Minh Van Doan / St. Philip Minh | 1853 | Annam | 1900 | 1988 |
| Peter Quy Cong Doan / St. Peter Quy | 1859 | Annam | 1909 | 1988 |
| Paul Loc Le Van / St. Paul Loc | 1859 | Annam | 1909 | 1988 |
| John Hoan Trinh Doan / St. John Hoan | 1861 | Annam | 1909 | 1988 |
| Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung | 1944 | Bangkok | 2000 | - |
Saint Laurent Marie Joseph Imbert, MEP, was born on March 23, 1796, in Marignane, France, to a farming family. Ordained in 1819, he left for China in 1820 and served in various missions in Asia. In 1821, he was sent to Singapore by Bishop Florens, where he became the first priest to celebrate Mass in modern Singapore. He also briefly taught at College General in Penang. Fr. Imbert spent 12 years as a missionary in Sichuan, China, establishing a seminary in Moupin before being appointed Vicar Apostolic to Korea in 1837 and consecrated bishop.
In 1839, during a severe wave of Christian persecution in Korea, Bishop Imbert, to protect his flock, surrendered to the authorities, hoping to mitigate further violence. He encouraged two other priests, Fr. Chastan and Fr. Maubant, to do the same. Despite his sacrifice, Bishop Imbert and the two priests were tortured and executed by beheading on September 21, 1839, at Saenam’tŏ near Seoul. Refusing to renounce his faith, he died a martyr and was canonized as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs by Pope John Paul II on May 6, 1984. His legacy reflects his devotion, courage, and commitment to his mission in the face of persecution.
Saint Jacques Honoré Chastan, MEP, was born on October 7, 1803, in Marcoux, France, to a farming family. With a deep desire to serve in foreign missions, he joined the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) in 1827. After leaving for Macao, he served as a teacher at College General in Penang from 1828 to 1833 and also assisted at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, showcasing his gift for languages, including fluency in Chinese.
In 1835, he attempted to enter Korea but was delayed, leading him to missionary work in Shantung Province, China, before successfully entering Korea in 1836. There, he worked in Seoul, learning the language and ministering to the faithful under dangerous conditions. In 1839, during a wave of Christian persecution, Fr. Chastan surrendered himself to protect his flock from further harm. He was tortured and beheaded on September 21, 1839, alongside Bishop Imbert and Fr. Maubant.
Recognized for his missionary zeal and ultimate sacrifice, Fr. Chastan was beatified in 1925 and canonized as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs on May 6, 1984, by Pope John Paul II. His life exemplifies courage, humility, and an unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel.
Saint Philip Minh was born in 1815 in Caimong, Vietnam, to a devout Christian family. He followed Bishop Taberd to Thailand and later to Calcutta, where he contributed to the editing of an Annamite-Latin-Annamite dictionary. In 1840, he entered College General in Penang and completed his theological studies, being ordained in 1846 by Bishop Lefebvre. Known for his piety and distinction, he became a respected priest in his mission.
In 1852, amid growing persecution, Fr. Minh was ordered to leave Cai-mong and minister in Mac-bat. He was later captured, chained, and interrogated for seven days but refused to disclose the whereabouts of other priests or deny his faith. When pressured to trample on a cross, he steadfastly refused. Before his execution, he encouraged his fellow prisoners, saying, “I entreat you from the depth of my soul, whatever sufferings may be awaiting you, remain firm in your faith; put all your confidence in the heavenly hope; it will not fail you.” On July 3, 1853, Fr. Minh was beheaded and buried in Cai-mong.
Two miracles are attributed to him: the tree under which his coffin was placed caught fire, and cotton wrapping his head caused a glow of light in the house. Beatified in 1900 and canonized in 1988, St. Philip Minh is honored as a model of unwavering faith and courage.
