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 is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
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 is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
