Our Lady of Lourdes of Goejeong - A Catholic community of Busan with roots in 1916

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La parroquia de Goejeongin the district of Saha de Busan, has as its official holder the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. Erigida as a parish in 1961, collects a local Catholic presence whose memory dates back to a cross raised in Hadan in 1916.

The official name of the church

The episcopal directory records a The Castle of LourdesOur Lady of Lourdes, as a patron. A liturgical text of the diocese itself specifies the full name: "Goejeong, Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes."

The inclusion of Goejeong does not alter the advocation; it serves to distinguish this church from others from the diocese that share the same title, especially the parish of Gaegeum.

From a cross in Hadan to a parish

The diocesan memory of the fiftieth anniversary recalls that in 1916 a cross was first raised in Hadan. The community then went through the pastoral care of Beomil, Jungang and Seodaesin, first as a mission station.

In June 1961 he was raised to parish and became a mother community for the Saha area. This path makes it possible to distinguish between the beginning of the local Catholic presence and the canonical erection of the parish.

A small difference between sources

The directory of the Episcopal Conference 1 June 1961 as a founding date. The diocesan chronicle of the fiftieth anniversary speaks of 29 June 1961 as a parish elevation.

Without additional documentation explaining the difference, both references are retained: the first may correspond to the administrative act and the second to its effective conclusion or entry. It's not right to choose one and hide the other.

Lourdes: prayer and care

The advocation was born from the apparitions received by Saint Bernardite Soubirous in Lourdes in 1858. His message leads to prayer, penance, conversion and trust in God.

Lourdes is also attached to the accompaniment of the sick. Catholic devotion does not promise automatic healing: it calls for closeness, dignity, sacramental attention and persevering service to those who suffer.

A community that wants to host

At the end of his first fifty years as a parish, Goejeong expressed the desire to become a community to which people would like to come, stay and pray. The formulation summarizes a specific vocation of hospitality.

The title of Lourdes gives depth to this purpose: to receive with respect to those who get hurt, tired or away, and to lead it without pressure to the comfort of Jesus Christ.

verified location for the map

The Episcopal Conference, the diocese and the parish website coincide in 11 Seunghak-ro 229beon-gil. The full Korean name mapping returns the building in 35.1019232, 128.9894017.

A generic point in the centre of Busan should not be used: the parish is located west of the central port, within the district of Saha.

To visit and pray

It is an active parish and maintains its own information on the Internet. Before you go it is appropriate to check the updated hours, remain silent and not interrupt celebrations or pastoral activities.

You can pray for the sick and their caregivers with John 2, 1-11, the Magnificat or the light mysteries of the Rosary. The memory of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on February 11.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes of Goejeong

Our Lady of Lourdes, accompanies the parish of Goejeong, born of the persevering faith of generations. He welcomes the sick, those who care for them and those who seek a place to pray again. Show us the humility of Bernardite and always condemn us to Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Episcopal Conference of Korea: official record.
• Diocese of Busan: fiftieth anniversary and local history.
• Diocese of Busan: full liturgical name and distinction between parishes.
• Official website of the parish of Goejeong.
• Verified temple mapping.
• St. John Paul II: Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick.

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