austraLasia 883
Korea: Celebrating the past with the young
KWANG JU: 18th September '04 -- The Rector Major has spent the past 24 hours in Kwang ju City, a visit which has included a visit to the Salesian community of Shinan-dong, the formation community of aspirants, postnovices, an Oratory, a reception centre for youngsters at risk, hostel, as well as pastoral ministry to young prisoners. This may be an appropriate moment to offer a potted* history of the Salesians in Korea.
50 years ago Archbishop Henry of Kwang ju invited the Salesians to take care of the education of youth in his diocese. Fr. Archimede Martelli, first Salesian missionary in Korea, arrived from Japan in 1954.
After Fr Martelli came a host of other missionaries from Italy, Belgium, USA, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Czech Republic. With the opening of a Middle and High School in Kwangju in 1956 the Salesians began to put down roots in Korean soil.
In 1958 Archbishop Ro invited the Salesians to Seoul to the parish of Torimdong (Yeong Deung Ko Pu) where they eventually opened a workers' hostel and seminary. From there other parishes and other works, especially for poor youth, were opened.
In the 1980s the Salesians opened a seaside Youth Camp at Yeongkwanggun near Kwang ju and in Seoul in the ground of the provincial house they opened a youth formation house that offers character formation to school children and retreats to young Catholics.
Similar centres were opened at Naeri (seaside), Taejon (novitiate house), and Chuncheon (provided by the government). The Seoul centre has alos distinguished itself for social communications enterprise, including the Salesian Bulletin.
In the 1980s the province began sending men to Africa, but realised there were needs closer to home, in North Korea and elsewhere. A technical high school in North China began as an offshoot of Kwang ju school, responding to the needs especially of Korean migrant families working in that area.
The Salesians have taken over the running of Seoul City Vocational Training Instititute, at the instigation of the city municipal administration.
By the end of this coming year the Salesians will publish a book on the 50 year history of Saleisan work in Korea. But for 18th September '04, 'celebrating the past with the young' and with the Rector Major, becomes the immediate focus.
* 'potted' for those for whom English is a second language, is a term which comes from growing plants in small pots or containers. A 'potted' history, then is something brief, contained in a few paragraphs.
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