SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — They died well over a century ago, but the 124 Korean Catholic martyrs who will be honored by Pope Francis this week still have a hold over many of their descendants — even some who learned of their sacrifices only in recent years, or whose families are now Buddhist or Protestant.

It will be a proud moment for them Saturday when Francis beatifies the martyrs, in the last step before canonization, or sainthood. Yet for some, it’s also overwhelming to know that someone in their family was willing to die for their faith.