SEOUL
--
“I
give thanks to my parents who have prayed for me and
accompanied me
towards my ordination, also to the all confreres in Korea
who have
dedicated so much effort in preparation for today’s
celebration of my
priestly ordination. I pledge, as a son of Don Bosco, to
live the
missionary life and never be ashamed.” Fr Stephen
Jihoon Yoo , newly ordained, said as part of his vocational
testimony and commitment.
Sat, April 14th at 2:00 pm, saw the Mass of Ordination
celebrated on
the 7th floor of the provincial house in Seoul. The Auxiliary
Bishop of
Seoul Archdiocese, Bishop Basil Jo, was the ordaining prelate.
Some 500
people attended, among them the newly ordained’s parents and
members of
various Salesian Family groups, youngsters, lay people from
his
original parish, located in the northern suburbs of Seoul
City, and
many friends. Two special guests were also present -
from the northern
Philippines Province, Fr Vitaliano Dimaranan, provincial
representative from FIN to which the new ordained belongs, and
Fr
Rafael Galve, the Superior of the PNG Delegation where Fr
Stephen will
realise his apostolic life as a missionary.
This year there have been two priestly ordination events in
KOR
province, the first on 24 January for 4 new priests and 5
deacons and
today for this newpriest. It is a very joyful sign of God
giving His
grace to the Salesian Family in Korea to experience a
flourishing
vocational growth amongst the new generation.
The KOR Provincial, Fr Stephen Nam, thanked the newly
ordained’s
parents, not only for dedicating their son to Don Bosco’s
mission but
especially for allowing him to be a missionary 'ad gentes' far
from
Korea. The Provincial prayed that "this beautiful celebration
may lead many generous young people seeking
God’s call in their heart".
Fr Yoo completed his theological studies at Paranaque, Manila,
over the
past three years, during which he asked to be a missionary to
PNG. For
that reason he transferred formally to the North Philippines
Province
last year when he made his Final Profession. He will remain in
Korea
until the end of June for the first Mass in various houses of
the
Salesian Family Group and some priestly experience activities.
Then
will go to directly to VunaBosco in PNG where he has already
been
appointed.
Today’s ordination represents one aspect of collaboration
within the
East Asia-Oceania Region in sharing formation processes as
well human
resources. This is happening at Paranaque (FIN) and at Clifton
Hill
(AUL) in a particular way, but also through missionary
exchange within
the Region. It is an encouragement to more active cooperation
and
promotion of mutual sharing within the Region.
