austraLasia #3003
4 new priests and 5 deacons ordained in Korea Province
SEOUL: 29 January 2012 -- “11 years ago, when I was 29 years old, I joined the Salesians. At that moment I believed that the Lord had called me to use me for the salvation of the young. It did not take me long to realize that God himself had put poor boys in my presence in order to redeem my poor soul. Lord Jesus, you are always with me through the presence of the young in my life and finally you have lead me to your priesthood, I will love you forever as well as the young, specially those who are most in need.” Park Seongjae Emmanuel, newly ordained priest (see below for the extended reflection).
I just before the beginning of the triduum for St. John Bosco’s Solemnity, 4 new priests and 5 deacons have been ordained at the provincial house at Seoul. The Ordination Mass was celebrated by the ordaining Prelate, Bishop Yeom Sujeong (Andrew), coadjutor bishop of Seoul Archdiocese, in the presence of some 80 Salesians, other clergy, the ordinands' families and youth from various Salesian institutes, FMA, SCG, other Salesian Family Group members, in short, more than 2,000 people attended.
"The Priest is one who proclaims the Word, teaches catechism, leads the people to build the Kingdom of God according to the good example of Christ, poor and humble. Never forget, especially in the spirit of Don Bosco, that you have to express God's love to young and be a sign of of his love for them - let it be your highest priority.” the bishop said in his homily.
The newly ordained priests: Frs Kang Laurence, Park Emmanuel, Park John Baptist and Yu Samuel.
The new Deacons:Kang Paul, Kim Albert, Choi Peter, Gong Peter and Kim Lupicino. This last-named one has an older brother as a Salesian, Kim Benedict, now in Australia for his theological studies and about to make his Perpetual Profession this coming 31st January. The two brothers joined the Salesians together 10 years ago and were together for the same stages of initial formation until practical training.
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REFLECTION BY AN ORDINAND
No greater thing in my life than this. Thanks to the Lord, he has allowed me, unworthy as I am, to be ordained and has always been by my side. I have always liked working with the young even though my first Salesian step was much delayed; when I joined I was already 29 years old.
I like them not because they are innocent and good, but because Jesus loved them. My reason for liking them is the fact that between us, the young and me, there are some common feelings to share. When I seeing any youngster crying, my own eyes are filled with tears; if one is laughing my smile runs from ear to ear. My inclination is, naturally and without difficulty, to approach the young and make conversation. This is still with me even though I thought that with increasing age it might have gone away.....
One day, when I was a little boy, entering through the parish gate for Sunday Mass I saw a very small boy (smaller than me!) begging for money. During the whole Mass this small one occupied all my thoughts; I felt real compassion for him and I felt uneasy that here I was with the fortune to participate calmly at Mass. After Mass I hastily went out to search for him but he was gone....... When I attended high school, on the way to school one day I saw a boy crying, but went past him indifferently, then at a certain moment in the bed that night I suddenly recalled that poor kid and began crying - I couldn't stop. I felt so sorry for that small creature, and angry at myself for doing nothing. My attitude was not that of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25. I prayed then, prayed for forgiveness for turn my face away from a young person in need and prayed for courage as well, the strength to help any youngster in difficulties or in need.
When I had finished high school, I forgot all about my prayer because I had to adapt to the new situation, I had to work, for myself as well the family for a certain period. I was almost thirty when I recalled those memories. So I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to keeping the promise which until then I had not kept. Only then came peace of mind like a sleeping baby in his mum’s arms, a serenity in experiencing the unconditional love of the Lord. It was then that I left all, parents, brothers and sisters, friend, job, career in society.
The Lord guided me to the Salesian family. I felt very happy to meet the young and I felt satisfied that I could contribute to the salvation of the young. But more recently, I have realized something new - 11years ago the Lord called me not just for the salvation of the young, instead He wanted to put the young beside me to save my own soul. This awareness makes me embarrassed.
Oh Lord, you save me, you are always with me, I have no choice but to love you, to fallow you, leaving all other things, like Don Bosco, I will say in my heart and daily life “Da mihi animas cetera tolle”.
4 new priests and 5 deacons ordained in Korea Province
I just before the beginning of the triduum for St. John Bosco’s Solemnity, 4 new priests and 5 deacons have been ordained at the provincial house at Seoul. The Ordination Mass was celebrated by the ordaining Prelate, Bishop Yeom Sujeong (Andrew), coadjutor bishop of Seoul Archdiocese, in the presence of some 80 Salesians, other clergy, the ordinands' families and youth from various Salesian institutes, FMA, SCG, other Salesian Family Group members, in short, more than 2,000 people attended.
"The Priest is one who proclaims the Word, teaches catechism, leads the people to build the Kingdom of God according to the good example of Christ, poor and humble. Never forget, especially in the spirit of Don Bosco, that you have to express God's love to young and be a sign of of his love for them - let it be your highest priority.” the bishop said in his homily.
The newly ordained priests: Frs Kang Laurence, Park Emmanuel, Park John Baptist and Yu Samuel.
The new Deacons:Kang Paul, Kim Albert, Choi Peter, Gong Peter and Kim Lupicino. This last-named one has an older brother as a Salesian, Kim Benedict, now in Australia for his theological studies and about to make his Perpetual Profession this coming 31st January. The two brothers joined the Salesians together 10 years ago and were together for the same stages of initial formation until practical training.
--------------
REFLECTION BY AN ORDINAND
No greater thing in my life than this. Thanks to the Lord, he has allowed me, unworthy as I am, to be ordained and has always been by my side. I have always liked working with the young even though my first Salesian step was much delayed; when I joined I was already 29 years old.
I like them not because they are innocent and good, but because Jesus loved them. My reason for liking them is the fact that between us, the young and me, there are some common feelings to share. When I seeing any youngster crying, my own eyes are filled with tears; if one is laughing my smile runs from ear to ear. My inclination is, naturally and without difficulty, to approach the young and make conversation. This is still with me even though I thought that with increasing age it might have gone away.....
One day, when I was a little boy, entering through the parish gate for Sunday Mass I saw a very small boy (smaller than me!) begging for money. During the whole Mass this small one occupied all my thoughts; I felt real compassion for him and I felt uneasy that here I was with the fortune to participate calmly at Mass. After Mass I hastily went out to search for him but he was gone....... When I attended high school, on the way to school one day I saw a boy crying, but went past him indifferently, then at a certain moment in the bed that night I suddenly recalled that poor kid and began crying - I couldn't stop. I felt so sorry for that small creature, and angry at myself for doing nothing. My attitude was not that of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25. I prayed then, prayed for forgiveness for turn my face away from a young person in need and prayed for courage as well, the strength to help any youngster in difficulties or in need.
When I had finished high school, I forgot all about my prayer because I had to adapt to the new situation, I had to work, for myself as well the family for a certain period. I was almost thirty when I recalled those memories. So I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to keeping the promise which until then I had not kept. Only then came peace of mind like a sleeping baby in his mum’s arms, a serenity in experiencing the unconditional love of the Lord. It was then that I left all, parents, brothers and sisters, friend, job, career in society.
The Lord guided me to the Salesian family. I felt very happy to meet the young and I felt satisfied that I could contribute to the salvation of the young. But more recently, I have realized something new - 11years ago the Lord called me not just for the salvation of the young, instead He wanted to put the young beside me to save my own soul. This awareness makes me embarrassed.
Oh Lord, you save me, you are always with me, I have no choice but to love you, to fallow you, leaving all other things, like Don Bosco, I will say in my heart and daily life “Da mihi animas cetera tolle”.
