Fr Timothy Choi installed as the fifth provincial of Korea
Seoul, Korea, 3 March 2019 -- Fr Timothy Choi Won Cheol was installed as the fifth provincial of Korea (2019-2025) on 3 March, in the presence of 400 members of the Salesian Family in Korea - more than a hundred Salesian Brothers and Priests, Novices and Candidates, FMA Sisters, Caritas Sisters of Jesus, Salesian Cooperators, Don Bosco Alumni, ADMA and VDB.
The Eucharistic celebration, with the EAO Regional Councillor Fr. Vaclav Klement as main celebrant and concelebrated also by Fr Fabio Attard, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, and ten EAO Provincials and other Delegation Superiors of our region, was held in the 7th floor chapel at the SDB Provincial house in Seoul (Shin Gil 6 Dong) at 11 a.m. This presence from all corners of our EAO region made visible the communion of each of the 90 SDB provinces with the whole worldwide Congregation.
In his homily the EAO Regional Councillor shared an inspiration from today's Gospel (Luke 6:39-45)
- About the need of accompaniment: 'Can the blind lead the blind?" - without gospel-based discipleship, without Fr Cafasso we would not have had Don Bosco; about the need for each Salesian to be guided - starting from the Rector Major, the Provincials, Rectors, each Salesian. The inspiration of the 2018 Strenna is contagious - listening and accompaniment are among the striking signs of our times.
- About the wisdom of God who entrusts the leadership of his Church to weak human beings: "The disciple is not superior to his teacher" - reflecting on the charismatic heritage of all previous Delegates, Superiors and Provincials of Korea during the past 65 years - Fr Robert Falk, Fr Luc Van Looy, Fr Marc Cuvelier, Fr Paul Hwang, Fr Stefano Nam and finally Fr Stefano Yang.
- About the words and deeds 'flowing out of what fills his heart' (Lk 6:45) Showing a new version of the most popular Salesianity book in Korean 'Let's educate like Don Bosco' - published in more than 30 editions in the past 40 years (Giovanni Russo: Don Bosco encounters the Young, ed. Seoul 2019).
After the communion Fr Timothy made his Profession of Faith, followed by a short Thanksgiving talk from the outgoing provincial Fr Stefano Yang (next obedience: Chaplain to the Caritas Sisters of Jesus, Suwon Province) and by a simple and deep Address of the newly installed provincial Fr Timothy - sharing his experience after being called by the Rector Major last December. The new provincial pondered on the 'grace of state' expressed in the support and help of many confreres, his serenity in spite of accepting this complex service to many confreres. Both sharings were intertwined with many personal joyful remarks that contributed to the festive and joyful Salesian family spirit.
After the Eucharist followed the photo session by different groups, including also the former classmates from Education College, young people and Salesian Cooperators from Neri and all groups of Salesian family. Then all 400 Salesian Family members enjoyed lunch on the 6th floor refectory of the provincial house and the EAO provincials spent a good time in exploring the vicinity (Borame Park), preparing for their annual meeting, March 4 - 8 in the same Seoul SDB provincial house.
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