austraLasia

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Seoul, South Korea, 26 November 2021 -- On 22 November 2021, Daniel Heo Deuk-jin of Korea Salesian Province (KOR), was ordained a priest by Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek, OCD, newly appointed Archbishop of Seoul. This Ordination Mass was the first ordination ceremony held in the Korean province in three years, and about 250 Salesian Family members attended the Mass in the Seoul Provincial house chapel.

The Korean government's quarantine guidelines changed to 'With Corona', and after two years, larger numbers of Salesian Family members gathered in one place and revelled in the emotions of the priestly ordination liturgy.

Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek,OCD, who was appointed recently as the Archbishop of Seoul, explained in his sermon what kind of duties a priest performs in the church. In particular, he said, “Daniel, who became a priest through lengthy preparation, will perform his holy duties of serving the people of God and building up the church by word and example.”

The Ordination Eucharist was attended by many Salesians in initial formation as well by large number of Salesian priests and brothers, FMA and Caritas Sisters and many volunteers in the orchestra.

In accordance with the COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, only the choir sang the hymn, but it was as holy and beautiful as heavenly music, so after the Mass, many people praised it.

At the end of the Eucharist the new priest, Fr Daniel Heo Deuk-jin, said, “I agree with and feel the same emotions as the Archbishop who officiated today, when he was appointed as the new Archbishop of Seoul recently, saying, ‘I am afraid to take on a great responsibility’. Fr Daniel also remembered two Salesian priests whose death anniversary falls on 22 November: Fr Antonio Cavoli (SDB , +1972, co-founder of Caritas Sisters of Jesus) and Fr John Trisolini (SDB, + 2011, the godfather of Korean Catholic Labor Ministry) and added that he would try to get into Don Bosco's garden one day like these outstanding Salesians.

At the end Fr. Timothy Choi, SDB provincial of Korea, expressed his gratitude to the Salesian Family members who attended the Eucharist and expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek in particular, who will soon be officially installed as Archbishop of Seoul (December 2021) and to the mother of the new priest, Ms Mikaela Choi Seong-hee.

After the Ordination Eucharist, Salesians present received a blessing from the new priest and enjoyed a family celebration of the traditional ‘Academy’.

The Ordination Mass was LIVE on YouTube and also many classmates from the Don Bosco Formation House in Paranaque (FIN) were able to witness the joy. Fr Daniel is the 90th Salesian Korean priest. His Thanksgiving Mass will be offered on Sunday 28 November.

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