2022-08-21 SOUTH KOREA

The 50th anniversary of the Marist presence in Korea

After almost a year of waiting for the right conditions regarding the pandemic, the Marists of Korea finally gathered in Seoul to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first two groups of Marist Brothers in Korea. In fact, the first four Mexican Brothers (Enrique Ruiz, Jesús Rodríguez, Sergio Gutiérrez and Manuel Villarreal) arrived in the country on September 13th, 1971, and were followed by Brothers Héctor Villarreal, Eduardo Ramírez, Ricardo Piña and Juan Castro in the summer of 1972.

At present, there are 5 communities in Korea. Two of them are in Seoul, one in Ansan, a fourth in Chungju and the fifth is in Jechon.

Br. Alfredo Herrera, from the Japan-Korea Sector, tells us below how they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Marist presence in Korea.


“The Thanksgiving Mass celebrated in the auditorium of our house in Seoul was presided by Most Rev. Peter Jeong Soon Take, Archbishop of Seoul. Five other priests joined to concelebrate. Br. Provincial, Allan de Castro and Br. Vice-provincial Rommel Ocasiones came from the Philippines to take part in the celebration. It was Br. Allan’s first canonical visit to the Sector.

Many Brothers, relatives, friends and benefactors from the different moments of this long series of years accompanied us during this happy day which was highlighted by the presence of some of the founding Brothers (Eduardo, Checo and Juan) who came from MĂ©xico and the Philippines where they are living and working at present. Br. Enrique, the superior of the original group could not come following the advice of his cardiologis. Instead, he sent a simple but heartfelt message to the Korean Brothers and the participants present during the commemoration celebration.

Br. Enrique expressed gratitude to the brothers of the Province of Mexico Central for their continuous support and encouragement to the Marist presence in this country. He remembered our three Korean Brothers who have gone before us to the Father’s House and emotionally gave thanks to the Korean Brothers for their faith and courage to follow St. Marcellin’s dream. In his message he also thanked all our friends and benefactors, especially the Guadalupe Fathers who accompanied and helped us during the first years in the country. Bro. Enrique invited the brothers to live with passion and courage the charism and mission for which they have joined the Marist Brothers Congregation.

Br. Provincial, Allan de Castro also thanked the brothers for their generosity and invited us to be faithful and creative in responding today to the challenges and needs of the young of our time.

Archbishop Peter Jeong in his homily pointed out the importance, relevance and need of the BROTHER’s vocation as healing presence in a world marked by polarization and indifference. He encouraged us to keep on showing Jesus’ brotherly care for the poor and forgotten children and youth, sustaining and promoting life, and thus following the inspiration that the Holy Spirit bestowed on St. Marcellin Champagnat”.

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