3356 "When brothers agree ... A timeless truth come true in KOR
austraLasia #3356

 
"When brothers agree ... "
A timeless truth come true in KOR
SEOUL: 25 January 2013 --  It was said by a Greek philosopher, pupil of Socrates: "When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life" (Antisthenes). It could just as easily have been said by our father and founder, Don Bosco could it not? Korea province has had several heady days which have brought out the best of this relatively young province - first professions, final professions, topped off with ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood. An occasion for much rejoicing and fraternal expressions of love and affection amongst Salesians, the Salesian Family and, yes, two sets of blood brothers. Read on ...

But first the details:
Five young men made their first profession this week for Korea Province, on the morning of 24th January (and have been replaced by a further six who are beginning their novitiate year). Another four - preparing for their ordination to diaconate a few days later - made their final profession as Salesians this week as well. And on the afternoon of 24th January 2014, these four were ordained deacons and three others were ordained priest in the large 7th floor chapel at the Provincial House in Seoul.

The ordinations on 24th January, in the presence of 1600 people including representation by all Salesian Family Groups, 60 concelebrating priests, amongst whom two Australian Salesians, were at the hands of the emeritus Archbishop of Kwangju and great friend of the Salesians, Archbishop Andrew Choi Chang Moo.

Those ordained were:
3 priests, Benedict Kim, Pascal Shin, Joseph Shin
4 deacons, Matthias Kang, Matthew Moon, Callistus Kim, Leo Byong

The two visiting Australian Salesians were the Provincial, Fr Greg Chambers and one of the ordinand's (Ben Kim) former Rector, Fr Peter Rankin, both of Melbourne, where Fr Kim studied theology.

Now, just because your surname is Kim, or Kang does not make you brothers or even vaguely related in Korea! There would be 10 million Kims in a population of 51 million (and this is only in the South), and more than a million Kangs! But for KOR Province, this set of ordinations was a bit special - Ben Kim and Matthias Kang have brothers who are also Salesians, and who are already ordained as priests. It is an interesting story.

Matthias Kang, ordained deacon yesterday, is a younger brother of Benedict Kang who was ordained priest last year. Benedict Kim, who studied in Melbourne and was ordained priest yeserday, is  the elder brother of Lupicinus Kim, who also was ordained  priest last year. In this case things get a little curious because in contrast to what might have been expected, it was not the elder brother who pathed the way into Salesian and priestly life. While doing his obligatory two year military service Ben, the younger brother, joined the Salesians after completing high school. His experience in community life and work in the oratory made him begin trying to persuade his elder brother who had just left the army to join him so they could live Salesian life together. "When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life"!

Korea has been a fast-growing province in many ways. In 1984 it had but 33 members and a limited presence. In 2014 that number, with yesterday's first professions, is around 120. Other than the 5 missionaries (and one or more to come), the work of the province includes a parish, a high school, a technical high school, four vocational training centres, a school for youngsters who are not attending formal schooling, 20 family homes - social services, 4 youth centres, one of which is in Seoul CBD, known as the 'Dream Centre', 3 vocational guidance centres, a consultancy centre and work for migrants - and, of course, the full range of formation from prenovitiate to ongoing formation.