austraLasia #2790
 
KOR: 5 new priests and 5 deacons ordained by Bishop Luc van Looy

SEOUL: 24 January 2011 -- On the feast day of St. Francis of Sales, KOT Province has celebrated in a most solemn way with a number of ordinations, in fact the largest single group to be ordained in the history of this Province. Five confreres were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Luc Van Looy, bishop of Ghent in Belgium, formally Vicar of the Rector Major and long before that, Superior of the then Korean Delegation (27 years ago).
    The ordination took place in the provincial house, on the 7th Floor, which holds a very large chapel, at 2 pm at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Luc with the retired archbishop of Kwangju, Archbishop Andrew Choi. The retired archbishop is a very close friend of Bosco Seong, formally the Korean Ambassador to the Holy See, who also happens to be the father of Savio Seong, one of the new priests! Also present were some 80 priests (Salesian and others), the ordinands parents, Salesian family groups as well as youth from various works. It was estimated that a total of 2,000 people attended the ordination (so really, the 7th floor chapel is quite large as indicated above!).
    The newly ordained are Frs Peter Lim, Joseph Cho, Bosco Lee, Felix We, and Savio Seong. They completed their theology at Kwangju and Seoul, also spending some time in addition for pastoral training, including a year in the Philippines to lean English. Most of them come from a Salesian work or family belonging to the Salesian movement such as Cooperators or Past Pupils.
    "Being ordained as a Salesian priest means becoming a minister of the Church, willing to dedicate and sacrifice his whole life for youth, especially those most in need, following Don Bosco's model: 'for you I study, live, work and spend my life'. Bishop Luc added: Don't be satisfied with 'Da mihi animas' but  also regard 'cetera tolle' as your life's motto.
    Fr Stephen Nam Stephan, provincial, gave thanks for the abundant grace of these ordinations, urging his listeners, the Salesian Family, to "put into practice this year's Strenna, 'Come and see' to help more and more young people with generous hearts to respond to God's call." He also reminded the newly ordained to remember Mamma Margaret's word when Don Bosco was ordained, telling him in words to this effect: "John, now that you are finally closer to God, always remember that you must remain poor".
    Newly ordained Fr Svaio's mother expressed her joy: "I am really so happy today that my son has become a Salesian priest, a priest of Don Bosco, my favourite saint. I hope that my son, Fr Savio, will always be happy loving the young as well being loved by them, and I will continue to pray for him for the rest of my life". Margaret, as she is, only became a Catholic last May, received into the Church by archbishop Choi in preparation for her son's priestly ordination.
    Meanwhile, during the same celebration there were also five confreres ordained deacon; Emmanuel Parkl, John Park, Samuel Ryu, Benedict Kang and Andrew Chang.
    Bishop Luc arrived in Korea on 15 January and preached the annual retreat for confreres last week with the title of 'Salesian life, the way of love'. He returns to Belgium immediately after the ordinations.
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