Canonical visitation of FMA province Korea-Mongolia

By Our Own Correspondent

Seoul, Korea, 20 September 2017 -- For the second time Sr. Lucy Rose (FMA General Visiting Councilor) was entrusted with the extraordinary visitation of the Korea-Mongolia Province of FMA sisters. On September 20 (Solemnity of 103 Holy Korean Martyrs) Sr. Lucy participated for the first time in her life in the regular joint meeting of KOR provincial councils SDB and FMA. During past 60 years (FMA arrived to Korea in 1957 and celebrate their 60th anniversary) this close collaboration and close journey of the two provinces brought many fruits.

More than 280 FMA Sisters of Korea are living and working in 32 communities in Korea and one in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), their average age is 53 years and with 11 novices this year belong to the most dynamic FMA provinces around the world. Indeed their education - pastoral mission covers large variety of youth ministry: Youth Center, Residential care for the girls in need (Nazareth House), Youth at risk (Mazarello Center), Parish work (7), kindergarten, elementary and high school, lay people ongoing formation and counselling center (youth and families).

One of the striking characteristics of the 'Stella Matutina' Province is the missionary spirit. There are more than 20 sisters already committed to the ad gentes mission in America, Africa and Asia provinces (including the Mongolia mission since 2007) and the out-going spirit is very much visible in most of their Korean presence: mobile oratory, group homes for youth in need (including North Korean un-accompanied refugee youth) and many others. Many of FMA works are part of the government youth service network, like the Wonju Youth Volunteer Support Center or other Youth social welfare services.

Within the Salesian Family the FMA sisters accompany not less than 12 Centres of Salesian Cooperators (+starting Centers) and the VIDES Korea is quite vibrant reality with monthly formation meeting in 8 cities around the country. There are 8 different works where the SDB and FMA work together (Alternative school - soc.com, boarding house, spirituality research center, parish, migrant youth ministry, youth training center). Also the long tradition of joint provincial council meetings (since 1991) strengthen the communion and brings many apostolic fruits.

The Visitation is a great opportunity to strengthen the communion within the World-wide community of the FMA Institute, from early August until Mid-November. We pray for many charismatic fruits of the visitation in communion, vocations, spirit, missionary zeal and apostolic commitment.

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