SEOUL: 5 Decembr 2011 --  On December 4, 18:00, in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Fr Marc Cuvelier slipped cross the threshold into heaven, having suffered for years from heart disease and finally various complications. He had shown great faith in prayer and invocation to the Virgin Mary, and until the last moments never ceased to surmount pain and his desire to complete the mystery of God in his life.
    Marc was born on June 5, 1938 at Gullegem in Belgium, the first of 6 boys and 1 girl to be born of Remis Cuvelier and Germana Verschuere. In 1958 he became an aspirant and on 25 September 1963 made his first vows. Already by 1965 he arrived as a missionary in Korea. In 1967, he attended the Catholic University at Leuven in Belgium, specializing in missiology and on 12 September 1970 was ordained priest.
    After come back to Korea, Marc dedicated his efforts to setting up a new vocational training institute, the Don Bosco Youth Centre, where he worked as Bursar and Director until February 1, 1984 when he was asked to accept the role of Delegate for the Korea Delegation. Through the Centre he was able to help thousands of poor boys to receive job training in the field of mechanics. For this he was recognized by the President of Korea in 1983, with a national medal of honour.
    Korea became a Vice Province on December 12, 1984, and Marc took up the rule of Provincial until February 1996, two periods in succession; 12 years leading the province. At the end of his term he attended the 24th General Chapter, during which his heart disease problems began to surface once more, despite having already had a bypass and being fitted with a pacemaker. After treatment in Belgium he came back to Korea in early 1997, and continued looking after poor youngsters at the vocational training centre and giving attention to the younger Salesian generation for better formation in Don Bosco’s mission in an oriental culture.
    As an expert in missiology he had put in much effort for inculturation of DB’s charism, specially in the work for poor boys and formation of new Salesians. During the time he had governed the province, there was a leap in quantity and quality of Salesian life: the number of confreres grew from 32 to 94, and community numbers from an average of 4 to an average of 10.
    The news of someone who has given right up to his last breath for the salvation of the young will be cause for rejoicing for all the Salesian family in Korea.
    As Don Bosco’s faithful son you left us good example. Thanks Marc, from the depths of our heart. We will pray that you enjoy Don Bosco's garden in heaven!