Assumption of Mary of Pyoseon - Christian hope on the eastern coast of Jeju

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In Pyoseon, along the eastern coast of Jeju, a community that lived for decades as a missionary station has as its patron Mary in her Assumption. The advocation proclaims that the destiny of the human person is not the disappearance, but the full life with God opened by the resurrection of Christ.

A community born in 1964

The Pyoseon region originally belonged to the pastoral care of the parish of Seogwipo. In 1964, a missionary station was established so that the local Catholics could meet with greater continuity.

The community built a chapel in 1967. This history before the parish shows how faith was sustained for years through local perseverance and the attention of more distant communities.

De Seogwipo a Spotpo

When Seongsanpo was erected on August 23, 1973, the Pyoseon missionary station became dependent on it. The change reflects the pastoral reorganization of the east of the island.

Pyoseon continued as a dependent community for more than two decades, without such a condition diminishing his identity and life of prayer.

Parish Erection in 1997

On 5 February 1997 Pyoseon was raised to parish. Its territory comprises ten villages of Pyoseon- myeon, organized pastoral in eight sectors according to the diocesan record.

The new condition recognized a community with more than 30 years on its way. The date of 1997 should therefore be read as the culmination of a stage and not as an absolute beginning.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Church professes that Mary, after her earthly life, was raised in body and soul to the glory of heaven. The Assumption is the work of God and unique participation in Christ's victory over death.

Pius XII solemnly defined this truth of faith in 1950. The Catechism presents it as a anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians and a sign of hope for all the people of God.

The party of August 15

The diocese of Jeju marks August 15 as the titular feast of Pyoseon, coinciding with the universal solemnity of the Assumption. In South Korea that date is also the day of national liberation, although both meanings retain their own identity.

For the Christian community, the celebration puts before the eyes a hope that embraces the whole person and calls for the care of the dignity of the body, memory and daily life.

Mary, image of the future Church

Paul VI explained that the solemnity contemplates the glorification of Mary and offers the Church an image of her future fulfillment. What God does in it confirms the fidelity of his promises.

This perspective especially supports the communities that have had to wait and persevere. The thirty-three years between the first missionary station and the parish erection find here an eloquent school of patience.

Faith by the sea and in the villages

Pyoseon serves an extension composed of several populations, not only the nucleus where the temple is raised. The parish thus articulates a community scattered between rural and coastal areas.

The advocation of the Assumption unites that diversity in one hope. Faith does not eliminate distances, but it allows them to travel as members of one people.

Verified location

The diocese officially places the church in 169 Pyoseon Dongseo-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo. GCatholic records the territorial code 8Q588R9H+R9.

The centre of that code corresponds to 33.3195625, 126.8284375, co-ordinate used on this map. The position coincides with the parish direction and the references of the neighbouring churches.

To visit and pray

Pyoseon is an active parish. The current hours in the diocese should be consulted and pastoral celebrations and dependencies respected. His party is on August 15.

To deepen the advocation, we can read 1 Corinthians 15, 20-28 and Revelation 12, texts proclaimed in the liturgy of solemnity.

Prayer to the Assumption of Mary of Pyoseon

Mary raised to heaven, protects the Pyoseon community and its villages. He affirms our hope when the path is long, comforts those who cry and teaches us to respect the dignity of every person. That, sustained by Christ's victory, we live faithfully on earth and walk towards full life with God. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Diocese of Jeju: official record of Pyoseon, patronage, party, history, territory and direction.
• GCatholic: international title, jurisdiction and territorial code.
• GCatholic: inventory of churches in the diocese of Jeju.
• Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus: definition of the Assumption.
• Pablo VI, Marialis cultus: liturgical sense of solemnity.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: the Assumption of Mary.

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