Heart of Mary of Eungam-dong - A parish that learns to keep, accompany and pilgrim

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In the district of Eunpyeong, to the north-west of Seoul, the parish of Eungam- dong contemplates Mary from the mystery of her heart: a heart that welcomed the Word, meditated on God's works, suffered by the cross and remained open to hope.

The patronage is documented

The Episcopal Conference of Korea records Eungam-dong as a parish of the archdiocese of Seoul and expressly points out that the Sex MoleMary's Heart. The same directory confirms the date of foundation and the current address.

In Spanish it is used here "Corazón de María," a faithful translation of the record. Catholic spirituality also often speaks of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but there is no added precision that the Korean title of this fact sheet does not express.

The heart in the language of the Bible

In Holy Scripture, the heart designates the deep center of the person: there one hears, decides, loves and keeps the memory. Saint Luke presents Mary by preserving and meditating in her heart what is happening around Jesus.

To honor your heart is not to separate Mary from Christ. It is to contemplate how a creature responded to grace with faith, freedom and perseverance.

A heart crossed and faithful

Simeon announced to Mary that a sword would pass through her soul. Tradition contemplates that word in the light of the Lord's passion: Mary does not avoid the pain of her Son, but remains with him.

The devotion to the Heart of Mary invites not to close your eyes to suffering and to accompany without appropriate pain. Its fruit must be a more attentive and responsible charity.

Foundation from the parish of Susaek

Eungam-dong was erected on 23 September 1968, separated from the parish of Susaek. It emerged to better care for a growing urban area within the current Eunpyeong district.

The creation of a parish involves much more than setting territorial limits: a community must gather places of worship, catechesis, care for families and service for those in need.

The effort to raise the temple

A news published in August 1970 documents that the construction of the new temple had begun in April. The project provided for a basement and two floors, with approximately 200 pyeng built surface.

The structure and roof were moving forward, but resources were lacking to finish. The chronicle retains the name of Victoria Seong Im-ok, who contributed an important part, and also points to the small contributions of the faithful.

Visit the homes to support the work

In the face of economic difficulty, the parish priest went through the community's homes; a single round required about a month. The source places him on a second visit even during the summer heat.

The scene shows that the temple did not appear immediately or anonymously. It was the result of donations, pastoral perseverance and community participation, with real doubts about the deadlines.

A story without figures turned into propaganda

The 1970 amounts are in their historical context and cannot be compared directly to current values. His interest is not in boasting of cost, but in understanding the material fragility of a newly founded parish.

Reminder of those who contributed, he called for a transparent care of the heritage and not to reduce generosity to a competition between donors.

The image of Mary as a starting point

A 1987 chronicle describes a program of pilgrimages in small groups through the main places of martyrdom memory in Seoul. The day began before the Marian image of Eungam-dong with the usual prayers.

He then visited, among other places, the crypt of Myeongdong, Seosomun, Danggogae, the cemetery of the clergy of Yongsan, Saenamteo and Jeoldusan, before returning to the image of the parish.

Mary leads to the memory of the martyrs

The itinerary well expresses the Christian sense of patronage. Mary was not the isolated goal of the journey: from her image, the pilgrims addressed the witnesses of Christ and ended again in prayer.

The authentic Marian veneration broadens the memory of the Church and helps to learn from those who gave their lives without turning martyrdom into a spectacle.

An initiative of the elderly

The project was organized by students of the parish school for the elderly, with the support of a benefactor. By limiting the groups to about ten people, they could combine historical explanation, prayer and celebration of the Mass.

Experience recalls that older people are not only recipients of care: they also transmit memory, organize community life and open up training paths for others.

From contemplative heart to service

Mary listens before answering, asks without closing the door to God and is on her way to help Elizabeth. Devotion to your heart must form those same attitudes: attention, discernment, availability and service.

A parish dedicated to the Heart of Mary is called to recognize the solitude of the city, to accompany the elderly and families, and to receive those who arrive without making the reception simple formality.

The Heart of Mary and Jesus

The Catholic tradition considers the heart of the Mother united to the mystery of the Heart of Christ, never as an independent source of salvation. Everything in Mary comes from the grace of God and leads to the Son.

Pius XII explained this close union within the mystery of redemption. The right answer is to live the Eucharist, listen to the Word and practice charity.

A prayer for the great city

In a metropolis like Seoul, the heart can be hardened by haste, isolation or competition. Mary teaches a attention that does not invade: to keep the word of the other, to discern it and to act when love requests it.

It can be especially prayed for those who live alone, for the exhausted families, for the workers and for those who do not find a place to be heard.

verified location for the map

The episcopal directory offers the address 200 Gajwa-roEungam- dong. The search for the Korean name of the temple and Seoul places the church in 37.5886043, 126.9196163.

The point matches the parish building. It has not been placed in the metro station, in the administrative centre of the district or in another church in the district.

Do not confuse the neighborhood or the advocation

Eungam-dong belongs to Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Its name may appear romanized as Eungam, Eungam-dong or Eungamdong; the three forms here refer to the same neighborhood and parish.

The title "Heart of Mary" should not be automatically confused with any Korean parish dedicated to the "Immaculate Heart." The file retains the official text, address and coordinates that identify it.

Para visitr with reject

It's a parish in operation. Timelines, access and activities may change; they should be checked directly before moving. During the liturgy, people should be kept silent and not photographed without their consent.

In the face of Mary, you can read Luke 2, 19 or Luke 2, 35, keep a few minutes of silence and offer a ten of the Rosary for the victims of violence and for peace on the Korean peninsula.

Prayer to the Heart of Mary of Eungam-dong

Mary, Mother of Jesus, teach us to keep the Word in the heart and to remain with those who suffer. Bless the parish of Eungam- dong, reward those who raised their temple and keep alive the memory of the martyrs. Make our heart attentive, clean and available to serve, and reach for Korea reconciliation and peace. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Episcopal Conference of Korea: full record, patronage and foundation.
• Mobile Episcopal Directory: direction and jurisdiction.
• The Catholic Times, 1970 Chronicle: Construction of the Temple.
• The Catholic Times, 1987 Chronicle: Pilgrimage from Marian Image.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: Mary in the Mystery of Christ.
• Pius XII: relationship between the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
• Mapping verified by name and address.

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