4 new priests and 5 deacons ordained in Korea
Province
SEOUL: 29
January 2012 -- “11
years
ago, when I was 29 years old, I joined the Salesians. At
that
moment I believed that the Lord had called me to use me for
the
salvation of the young. It did not take me long to realize
that God
himself had put poor boys in my presence in order to redeem
my poor
soul. Lord Jesus, you are always with me through the
presence of the
young in my life and finally you have lead me to your
priesthood, I
will love you forever as well as the young, specially those
who are
most in need.” ParkSeongjae Emmanuel, newly
ordained priest (see below for the extended reflection).
I just before the beginning of the triduum for St. John
Bosco’s
Solemnity, 4 new priests and 5 deacons have been ordained at
the
provincial house at Seoul. The Ordination Mass was celebrated by the
ordaining
Prelate, Bishop Yeom Sujeong (Andrew), coadjutor bishop of
Seoul
Archdiocese, in the presence of some 80 Salesians, other
clergy, the
ordinands' families and youth from various Salesian
institutes, FMA,
SCG, other Salesian Family Group members, in short, more than
2,000
people attended.
"The Priest is one who
proclaims the
Word, teaches catechism, leads the people to build the
Kingdom of God
according to the good example of Christ, poor and humble.
Never forget,
especially in the spirit of Don Bosco, that you have to
express God's
love to young and be a sign of of his love for them - let it
be your
highest priority.” the bishop said in his homily.
The newly ordained priests: Frs Kang Laurence, Park Emmanuel,
Park John Baptist and Yu Samuel.
The new Deacons:Kang Paul, Kim Albert, Choi Peter, Gong Peter
and Kim
Lupicino. This last-named one has an older brother as a
Salesian, Kim
Benedict, now in Australia for his theological studies and
about to
make his Perpetual Profession this coming 31st January. The
two
brothers joined the Salesians together 10 years ago and were
together
for the same stages of initial formation until practical
training.
--------------
REFLECTION BY AN ORDINAND No
greater thing in my life than this. Thanks to the Lord, he
has allowed
me, unworthy as I am, to be ordained and has always been by
my side. I
have always liked working with the young even though my
first Salesian
step was much delayed; when I joined I was already 29 years
old.
I like them not
because they are innocent and good, but because Jesus loved
them. My
reason for liking them is the fact that between us, the
young and me,
there are some common feelings to share. When I seeing any
youngster
crying, my own eyes are filled with tears; if one is
laughing my smile
runs from ear to ear. My inclination is, naturally and
without
difficulty, to approach the young and make conversation.
This is still
with me even though I thought that with increasing age it
might have
gone away.....
One day, when I was
a little boy, entering through the parish gate for Sunday
Mass I saw a
very small boy (smaller than me!) begging for money. During
the whole
Mass this small one occupied all my thoughts; I felt real
compassion
for him and I felt uneasy that here I was with the fortune
to
participate calmly at Mass. After Mass I hastily went out to
search for
him but he was gone....... When I attended high school, on
the way to
school one day I saw a boy crying, but went past him
indifferently,
then at a certain moment in the bed that night I
suddenly
recalled that poor kid and began crying - I couldn't stop. I
felt so
sorry for that small creature, and angry at myself for doing
nothing.
My attitude was not that of the good Samaritan in Luke
10:25. I prayed
then, prayed for forgiveness for turn my face away from a
young person
in need and prayed for courage as well, the strength to help
any
youngster in difficulties or in need.
When I had finished
high school, I forgot all about my prayer because I had to
adapt to the
new situation, I had to work, for myself as well the family
for a
certain period. I was almost thirty when I recalled those
memories. So
I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to keeping the
promise which
until then I had not kept. Only then came peace of mind like
a sleeping
baby in his mum’s arms, a serenity in experiencing the
unconditional
love of the Lord. It was then that I left all, parents,
brothers and
sisters, friend, job, career in society.
The Lord guided me
to the Salesian family. I felt very happy to meet the young
and I felt
satisfied that I could contribute to the salvation of the
young. But
more recently, I have realized something new - 11years ago
the Lord
called me not just for the salvation of the young, instead
He wanted to
put the young beside me to save my own soul. This awareness
makes me
embarrassed.
Oh Lord, you save me, you
are always with me, I have no choice but to love you, to
fallow you, leaving all other things, like Don Bosco,
I will say in my heart and daily life “Da mihi animas cetera
tolle”.
