Fr. John Lee Taeseok’s story does inspire also today!
Kwangju, Korea, 15 January -- As every year around the 14th of January, the memorial day of the late Fr. John Lee, 15th January of this year, many Friends of Don Bosco, benefactors of the Fr John Lee Memorial Foundation gathered, even though the weather was very cold, 10 degrees below zero, in the Catholic cemetery of Kwangju (South Korea) to remember his example of missionary life.
Seven years after the departure of Fr John Lee (1962-2010) we still witness an ongoing impact of the famous movie ‘Don’t Cry for Me Tonj!’ watched by many millions of people in seven languages thanks to the Missioni Don Bosco Torino, Italy. The 2009 Korean publication of Fr. John Lee’s book ‘Will You Be My Friend?’ was reprinted not less than 30 times by the Caritas Sisters ‘Bible & Life Publishing House’ is still the bestseller. The ‘Fr. John Lee Memorial Foundation’ in Seoul, South Korea is still a magnificent bridge between the Korean benefactors and missions field specially South Sudan people providing fund, material help and volunteers for many education, social and health care works in this war thorn country of South Sudan. Among many publications shines the story of Fr. John Lee in the Government primary schools textbook as example of sacrificed, generous life given for others.
Even now many non-Christian youth after watching the ‘Sudan-Tonj’ documentary about Fr. John Lee are deeply moved to tears and ask to start the catechumenate or young Catholics ask to become Salesians (not only in Korea). Some of the young Salesians in the EAO got the first inspiration to write their missionary application to the Rector Major!
Seven years after the demise of Fr. John Lee we treasure his simple and highly committed Salesian missionary and priestly life. May many more Salesian missionaries around the EAO region become more visible models for the young people.
Waching video 'Don't Cry For Me, Tonj'
Fr.John Lee related materials on the Boscolink
Fr. John Lee Memorial Foundation (Korean)
At the Fr. John Lee's tomb in the Salesians' zone inside the Kwangju Archdiocese Cemetery
The book cover of 'Will you be my friend?'
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(ANS – Tonj) – Don Bosco Mission Tonj commemorated the seventh death anniversary of the Salesian Missionary from South Korea Fr. John Lee Tae-Suk (1962-2010). He was a medical doctor by profession, left his work to become a priest, joined the Salesian congregation and spent his life as a missionary in South Sudan. His priestly life was very short yet intense, and he he dedicated it for the people of Tonj, South Sudan.
On 14th Jan 2010, due to a colon cancer, he passed away in Korea leaving his loved ones behind in South Sudan. He shared his love with the people of Tonj through his skills as a doctor, a teacher and a musician. Because of that he changed the face of Tonj with his contagious joy and optimism. His legacy will be remembered by all.
On 14th Jan 2017 in Tonj, the Memorial Day was something different from other events. The parishioners of the Sacred Heart parish in Tonj including youth, mothers, Don Bosco Brass Band and street children came together to celebrate the day.
They began with the procession from Don Bosco clinic to the main church where the Eucharistic celebration followed at 8:00am. After mass, Don Bosco Brass Band marched along the street of Tonj in his honor, carrying the picture of their beloved friend Fr. John Lee.
At 1:00 pm the street kids in Tonj were brought together into the Mission campus where they had some games in the honor of Fr. Lee. At 4:00 pm, there were delicious snacks prepared and served for them and afterwards a football match among the street kids; they enjoyed it very much because they lacked love and care from the community who normally believed street children always smoke, fight, steal and so forth.