austraLasia #2856 Causes and potential Causes in EAO
ROME: 16 May 2011 -- People are well aware that the
EAO Region has one distinctive claim on 'Salesian holiness'
in the persons of Sts Louis Versiglia and Callistus
Caravario, involving both China and Timor (the latter had
spent some short time in Dili prior to moving to China).
Protomartyrs and missionaries both. There have been other
holy Salesian missionaries who have already taken their
first steps towards the altar, and who worked within the
present confines of this Region: Vincent Cimatti (GIA),
already Venerable, with possible indications that
Beatification is not too far off; Servants of God Andrej
Majcen (VIE), Orestes Marengo, Constantine Vendrame, Stephen
Ferrando, Francis Convertini, all missionaries to INDIA;
Carlo della Torre (THA). The Diocesan Process for
Vendrame was concluded earlier this year. We also know
that moves are afoot regarding Fr Braga (CIN FIN/S). The
presence of a Filipino confrere and historian, Fr Nestor
Impelido, in Rome at the moment is no coincidence! Material
is being collected.
These have all been missionaries to
EAO. But mention should be made, at least in general
terms, of a missionary from EAO who's reputation for
holiness is sweeping one part of the region, and we have at
least some evidence that it is catching on in the wider
Church. I am speaking of Fr John Lee Tae-Seok, a young
Salesian priest who worked at Tonj in the South Sudan.
Doctor, musician, amongst other things, he stood out for his
holiness - and around two years ago, returning for a home
visit, the doctor decided to have his own medical checkup
only to discover he had terminal cancer. He died shortly
afterwards.
Such has been the effect of Fr John's
relatively short but full and attractive life, both in his
home Korea and then in the South Sudan, that the 'Lee
phenomenon' has swept his country of origin especially since
his death. This has also had quite worrying aspects,
since his appeal is equally attractive to philanthropists,
do-gooders, and even people who might wish to profit from
his life and death. For the Church, unless you are a
Pope John Paul II or a Mother Teresa, the usually rules
apply, and one cannot begin to talk about a Cause that would
be some years off anyway before it could be correctly
introduced. But one can talk about an attractive
figure of Salesian holiness in a relatively young but
vibrant province!
With this in mind the Korean province is
taking steps to 'manage' the phenomenon. In very recent days
there has been a meeting between interested persons (Fr
John's brother is a Conventual Franciscan), the Bishop of
Daejong Diocese, others who have set up a John Lee
Foundation (which already has a membership exceeding 30,000
people), and of course the Provincial and other Salesians
with particular responsibilities. There are now other
indicators from outside Korea itself, of interest in the
'holiness' factor, rather than the philanthropic. The
important thing at this stage is not to lose sight, in such
an attractive figure as is this medical, musical Salesian
priest and missionary, of Don Bosco's mission, the salvation
of youth which drives that - and the 'Come and See'
invitation which has automatically resulted from John Lee's
life and action, borne out in a fruther boost in vocational
interest in the province.
The Province is organising a symposium on
24 June, the feast day of St John the Baptist and therefore
Fr John's Feastday (Korean Catholics and certainly Salesians
keep their name day rather than their birthday). It will
carry the title: Don Bosco of Tonj, the life and
spirituality of John Lee Taesok. _________________ AustraLasia
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