3970_Salesians, at the center of the Vocation Sunday event in Seoul Archdiocese

3970_Salesians, at the center of the Vocation Sunday event in Seoul Archdiocese

April 18, 2016

By Fr Benedic Kim, SDB
Photo by Fr Joshep Shin, SDB

Seoul, Korea, April 17, 2016 - 5th CYD (Catholic Youth Day) in the archdiocese of Seoul was held on Vocation Sunday, 4th Sunday of Easter, in the seminary of the diocese where postgraduate Saleisan seminarians study. On the joyful and meaningful day, total 43 booths were open for the event, and 13 religious orders and various Catholic groups take parts of the event. The event consisted of two major parts; one is of various activities of making souvenirs, taking photos, mini games, and so on; another is of performances of professional musicians and youth groups. The event was ended with final mass celebrated by Cardinal Andrew Yeom, Archbishop of Seoul.

14 SDBs and 9 FMAs, both including pre-novices, in cooperation ran 4 booths to introduce the Salesians and share Salesian joy with the young in various activities. About 10 young men seeking Salesian vocation joined the Salesian booths to help the activities for the young who visit the booths. More than 8,000 young people from many parishes in Seoul archdiocese joined the event.

The Overal Director of the event, Fr Gabriel Cho, in charge of the vocational ministry in Seoul Archdiocese, spoke that the purpose of the event is to provide a stage for the young to express their desire for the Lord and passion to love; and to give an opportunity for them to become young missionaries proclaiming the Good News to the world by their language in the Church in imitation of Jesus Christ. Particularly, as the Church has celebrated the Extraordinary Jubulee Year of Mercy, through this event young people are expected and encouraged to become true Christians in experiencing God's calling, and it hopes that the young can experience the mercy of God.

As Jesus invites people who would like to follow him, “come and see” (Jn 1:39), CYD on Vocation Sunday was truly a joyful festival for the young and showed them the diversity of vocations which the Catholic Church has. It would be a fruitful day of seeding and harvesting vocations in the Church for the future.