2025 Salesian Family Spirituality Day in Korea

Written by KOR SocCom

Gwangju, Korea, 27 April 2025 -- On 26 April, the Salesian Family Spirituality Day was held at the Gwangju Youth Cultural Center, hosted by the FMA. The whole world is immersed in grief over the great loss of a prophet of our times and the greatest spiritual leader. On this day, as we join in heart with the funeral of Pope Francis taking place in Vatican City (5:00 PM Korean time), the Salesian Family in Korea is conducting the Family Spirituality Day in a restrained manner, without extravagance, as it is a long-planned and significant family event, while feeling the sorrow of sending their supreme superior (Constitution 125) back to God.

This year's event marks the first time it is being held in Gwangju after transitioning from the customary practice of being held separately in Seoul and Gwangju each year to an annual event alternating between the two cities. Approximately 250 members of the Salesian Family from across the country are participating in this event, which is hosted by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

The event began at 10:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by introductions of each Salesian Family group. Fr Marcello Baek, the provincial superior, delivered the keynote speech titled “Steps of Hope: The Dreams and Passion of the Salesian Missions' 150th Anniversary,” introducing the 2025 living guidelines. Fr Marcello analyzed the current global situation, which he described as being caught between despair and hope, emphasizing that times of despair are the most ideal for sowing seeds of hope. He cited the sharp increase in the number of adult baptisms in the French Church as an example. He also noted that 150 years ago, when Don Bosco sent the first missionaries, there were only 171 Salesian members, yet he showed “reckless” courage by sending ten of them to missionary territories. This was a historical example of trusting in the Holy Spirit, embracing hope in a place where there was none, and taking the first steps toward hope. He emphasized that Fr John Lee Tae-seok, who marks the 15th anniversary of his death this year, is a concrete example of how the Salesian mission of “sowing hope” has been lived out in a modern way.

Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB, who was elected the 12th Rector Major of the Salesian Society at the recently concluded 29th General Chapter, sent a video message to the Salesian Family in Korea, extending his congratulations and appealing for prayers for the Salesian mission and active participation and cooperation in that mission.

After lunch, the event participants conducted group-specific programs at the academy, which, though free of recreational elements, could not hide the joyful spirituality inherent to the Salesian Family. They then watched a 30-minute video in memory of Pope Francis, whose funeral Mass was held today at the Vatican. They took time to express their sincere gratitude for God's great gift of giving us a good shepherd with the smell of sheep, a true earthly representative of Jesus, to soothe their regrets, and to pray for his eternal heavenly glory.

The video message of Fr Bosco Nyi Nyi, the provincial superior of Myanmar, who is appealing for help amid the urgent situation in Myanmar, which has been in extreme turmoil due to military dictatorship and the people's resistance against it, and especially due to the recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated the entire country, was also introduced. He expressed deep gratitude for the continued support of the Salesian family in Korea, testifying that the suffering people of Myanmar find hope in knowing they are not alone in this difficult situation but are accompanied by the world. The highlight of the event, the offering of the Mass for the Mission, was dedicated with the intention of sharing in the suffering of Myanmar and will be sent there.

Amidst the severe turmoil caused by the political situation, a video message from the Provincial Superior of Myanmar was also introduced, showing the urgent situation in Myanmar, where the entire country was devastated by a recent earthquake of magnitude 7.8, and desperately appealing for help. He expressed his deep gratitude for the continued help of the Salesian Family in Korea and testified that the suffering people of Myanmar are gaining hope from the fact that they are not enduring this difficult situation alone, but that the world is accompanying them. The offering of the concluding Mass, the highlight of the day, will be offered in solidarity with the suffering of Myanmar and will be sent there.

As we reaffirmed the Salesians' mission to sow hope even in the midst of difficulty, the 2025 Salesian Family Spirituality Day came to a close, with anticipation for next year's gathering, which will be hosted by the Caritas Sisters of Jesus in Seoul.

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