Our Lady of Lourdes of Gangildong - Marian presence in eastern Seoul

← Back to South Korea's Marian Advocations

At the eastern end of Seoul, the parish of Gangildong is entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. The community was founded precisely by 11 February 2010, liturgical memory of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick.

A foundation attached to the feast of Lourdes

The directory of the Korean Episcopal Conference records both the patronage and the date of foundation. The February 11 match with the universal feast of Lourdes links the canonical birth of the parish to its headline.

The source does not explain who made the decision or the full circumstances of the foundation; by documentary fidelity no motivations are attributed that are not published.

The Invocation of Lourdes

The advocation recalls the apparitions recognized by the Church that Bernadette Soubirous testified in 1858 next to the Grotto of Massabielle, in Lourdes, France. His message leads to prayer, penance, conversion and trust in God's mercy.

The expression "Immaculate Conception" with which Mary identified herself before Bernadette refers to the privilege of grace for which she was preserved from original sin in anticipation of the merits of Christ.

Mary and the care of the sick

The memory of Lourdes is also celebrated as World Sick Day. The invocation invites those who suffer from illness, disability, loneliness or tiredness to accompany with delicacy without presenting prayer as a substitute for medical care.

The French sanctuary is known for its service to the sick and for a rigorous discernment of the cures attributed to their intercession. The Christian faith demands health, but remains open to the will of God and always sustains the dignity of the person.

A community on the eastern periphery of Seoul

Gangildong belongs to the district of Gangdong, next to the eastern border of the capital. The temple shares the number 476 of Godeok-ro with the complex called Gangil Seongmo, which confirms the mapping of the Catholic compound.

The 2010 foundation shows a recent pastoral implementation in an urban area developed in recent decades. The date of parish foundation should not be confused with an exact date of consecration of the building, which does not provide the directory consulted.

Verified location

The episcopal direction is 476 Godeok-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The mapping search by the Korean name of the temple returns 37.5578016, 127.1786109, point that matches that address.

The marker points to the parish complex, not a generic coordinate of the neighborhood.

To visit and pray

It's an active parish. It is appropriate to consult existing hours in diocesan or parish channels, to remain silent during veneration and to respect pastoral activities.

The visit can be accompanied by the Magnificat (Luke 1, 46-55), a ten of the Rosary and a special prayer for the sick, family members and health professionals.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes of Gangildong

Virgin Immaculate of Lourdes, accompanies the community of Gangildong and looks tenderly at the sick and those who care for them. Lead us to Jesus Christ, teach us to turn our hearts and pay attention to other people's pain. May no one in this parish feel alone and may the hope of the Gospel support each family. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Episcopal Conference of Korea: name, address, foundation and patronage.
• Archdiocese of Seoul: jurisdiction and pastoral information.
• Cartography: identification and temple coordinates.
• St. John Paul II: ecclesial sense of Lourdes and care for the sick.

Pray the Holy Rosary · See more calls from South Korea