3184 KOR Province: largest group of ordinations ever
austraLasia #3184
 

KOR Province: largest group of ordinations ever


SEOUL: 26 January 2013
-- 24th January was a huge, joyful feast day of our patron, St Francis Sales in Korea Province, with the ordination of 7 new priests and 2 deacons in the provincial house at Seoul. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Yeom Sujeong (Andrea), of the Seoul Archdiocese with some 80 Salesian and others priests concelebrating, and the ordinands' families and friends present, along with youth from various Salesian settings, FMA, SCG, other Salesian Family Group members, in short, more than 3,000 people were really jammed into the chapel.

"It's a really great thing for a religious congregation that 7 members be ordained at the same time; it's the largest single group in the history of Salesian Korea. Congratulations to all Salesians who are celebrating their patron today. The priest is one who proclaims the Word, teaches catechism, leads the people to build up the Kingdom of God, following the good example of Christ, and poor and humble like St. Francis de Sales. Up to now you have not forgotten, especially in the spirit of Don Bosco, that you have to express God's love to the young and to be signs of of his love for them as your highest priority. You new Salesian priests have to be convinced of what Mamma Margaret told Don Bosco when he was ordained” the Archbishop reminded them.

The newly ordained are Frs Benedict Kang, Andrew Chang, Paul Kang, Albert Kim, Lupicino Kim, Peter Choi and Peter Gong. The new Deacons are Pascual Shin, Joseph Shin.

Fr Stefano Nam, Provincial, told the newly ordained: "We are into the second year of preparation for the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's birth and we have to thank God for giving us a great gift this year. My wish is that you, the newly ordained, be true disciples of the Lord. Knowing and imitating the heart of Don Bosco's may you be fascinating ministers who are fully engageed in the mission for poor youth. With the Rector Major, following Don Bosco, let's make the young our mission in life.” He expressed his gratitude to the parents who have generously given their sons to Don Bosco’s mission, and he thanked the confreres who willingly followed up these newly ordained, and finally the young people who give significance and meaning to our Salesian vocation.

The provincial presented a special message from the Rector Major: “loving greetings from the General House on this day in which we celebrate the Feast of Our Saintly Patron, St Frances of Sales. I would like to congratulate you and the whole Province of Korea for the many blessings received over these days, first of all through the Perpetual Profession of 3 Confreres, then for the First Profession of the three novices, and for the Ordination of 2 Deacons and 7 new Priests. What a blessing!!! The Lord is so good to you and to all the Congregation. Blessed be His Name forever! Now the most important thing is to help all the confreres to consolidate their vocational choice and to live their life with joy, generosity and fidelity. I entrust you and all of them to the motherly care and guidance of Mary the Immaculate Help of Christians. I wish you a very happy Feast of Don Bosco. In communion of hearts and prayers. Fr Pascual Chávez V., SDB. Rector Major