The Theological Perspective magazine introduces us to the Korean Catholic epic poem, "Sahyangga," that in the early years of the Church was often sung in learning the catechism. The article mentions Father Choi Yang-op the second Korean priest who spent a great deal of time devising ways to teach the catechism. The majority of the believers at that time could not read the Chinese Bible or the Chinese devotional books, and there were few books translated into Korean that could be used in teaching the catechism.
Father Choi devised a catechism for the believers which was transmitted by way of song, matching the Korean's feelings and sensibilities. He put the Catholic doctrine in a familiar poetic style that the Koreans found easy to learn and sing. This was made in a way to help non-believers understand Catholicism and to defend against those who were antagonistic towards Catholicism.
Through these literary devices Father Choi sought to refute the arguments of those who were antagonistic towards Catholicism. This also helped Catholics to meditate on Catholic dogma and reflect on their lives by bringing to mind the accusations of the enemies of the Church. These songs reveal the thoughts of the Koreans in the late Joseon dynasty.
This precedes the introduction of Gregorian Chant and the hymns that are familiar to Catholics. All the lines of the Sahyangga were based on the catechism. There is a phrase in Latin that says those who sing are praying twice. The Sahyangga used the song's contents to reflect upon the particular judgement, general judgement, and heaven and hell which follow death. This was closely associated with the spirituality of martyrdom. Here was a catechism by which they learned the teaching and also a way they could pray with the words by putting them into song and memorized.
Besides the Sahyangga there were other similar epics and didactic ways of teaching about Catholicisms in song. Since Koreans have always enjoyed singing, we can understand why Father Choi Yang-op found it easy to use music as a way to teach the catechism. This has continued and can be observed at daily Mass in most of the parishes and mission stations, even when there is a small congregation present. The society at large is no different: there are a great number of "singing rooms," each equipped with a karaoke machine and a menu of songs.
