Marian devotion
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In the center of Jeju city, the parish known as Lost Buen Pastor as an official patron Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The two names do not contradict each other: one of them passively identifies the community and the other expresses his particular confidence in Mary's maternal help.
Advocation: Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Korean name: The Holy Spirit of the Eternal Help.
Parish name: Ö · Glawang Buen Pastor.
Place: 19-18 Denkangangan-ro 5-gil, Ido 1-dong, ciudad de Jeju.
Parish Erection: November 9, 1970.
Current temple: completed in 1988 and dedicated on 27 November 1988.
Jurisdiction: Catholic diocese of Jeju.
Coordinates checked: 33.5031875, 126.5291875.
A necessary distinction between name and patronage
The diocese presents the community as a parish of Gwangyang Good Shepherd, while in the field dedicated to the patron saint it records Our Lady of Perpetual Relief. The official directory of the Korean Episcopal Conference confirms the same title.
An international repertoire, on the other hand, translates only the name Good Shepherd and therefore does not allow to discover Marian patronage at first sight. Crossing the sources prevents this advocation from being outside the inventory.
Foundation in 1970
Gwangyang was erected on 9 November 1970 when he separated from the central parish of Jeju. Its creation responded to the pastoral growth of the neighborhoods to the east of the historical core.
The community eventually assumed responsibilities for missionary stations and participated in successive territorial reorganizations. In 1981 he transferred Hagwi to Shinjeju and in 1988 received Gymhyeong from Seongsanpo.
The present temple
The current church was completed in 1988 and was dedicated on November 27 of that year. Seven years later, on 30 April 1995, Gwangyang gave up territory for the creation of Donggwang.
Thus, the history of the parish includes both receiving and delivering communities. This availability finds a spiritual expression in Mary, who welcomes the mission received and is placed at the service of God's design.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The advocation is associated with the ancient icon venerated in Rome, where Mary holds the Child Jesus while the archangels show the instruments of the Passion. The Child seeks refuge in the arms of his Mother, but Mary's look is directed towards the one who looks at the image.
The expression "perpetual relief" does not present Mary as an independent source of salvation. He recognizes his maternal intercession, always subordinate to Jesus Christ, the only Savior.
A help that leads to Christ
John Paul II explained that Mary's motherhood remains in the Church as a participatory and dependent mediation of Christ. His care helps the disciples to hear and obey the Son.
That is why Marian trust does not replace responsibility, sacraments or concrete help between people. To ask for help also means to be prepared to become support for those who are alone, sick or disoriented.
Mother in times of need
Pope Francis has invoked Mary as the comfort of the afflicted and the help of Christians in times of trial. Prayer recognizes human fragility and calls for strength to persevere in faith and service.
In an urban parish, the title can illuminate the daily care of families, older people, young people and people who come from other places. Relief becomes visible through a community capable of listening and accompanying.
A community that has given rise to another
The separation of Donggwang in 1995 shows that parochial fertility is not just about growing inwards. It also means allowing new communities to be born when pastoral care requires it.
Gwangyang and Donggwang retain different Marian titles: Perpetual Relief in the first and Immaculate Heart of Mary in the second. They must appear as separate places on the map.
Verified location
The diocese and the Episcopal Conference agree in the direction 19- 18 Donggwang- ro 5- gil, Jeju- yes. GCatholic identifies the same temple, its parish website and the territorial code 8Q58GG3H+7M.
The centre of that code corresponds to 33.5031875, 126.5291875. The distances from Jungang Cathedral, Dongmun and Donggwang match the direction, so this point is used on the map.
To visit and pray
Gwangyang is an active parish. It is appropriate to consult the current times in the diocese and respect the development of the celebrations. There is no local Marian apparition, nor should the temple be presented as a place of apparitions.
In the face of advocation, you can pray for a concrete need and at the same time ask yourself what human help is in our hands.
Prayer to Our Lady of Gwangyang's Perpetual Relief
Mary, Mother of the Perpetual Relief, guards the parish of Gwangyang. Take our needs before your Son and teach us to listen to him faithfully. Hold those who go through disease, solitude or uncertainty; pay attention to those who need help and generous to accompany you. May this community of the Good Shepherd always lead to Jesus and be home to comfort and hope. Amen.
Sources consulted
- Diocese of Jeju: parish name, patronage, history and direction of Gwangyang.
- Korean Episcopal Conference: Official Directory and patronage of Our Lady of Perpetual Relief.
- GCatholic: temple identification, jurisdiction, web and territorial code.
- San Juan Pablo II, Redemptoris Mater: Maternity and intercession of Mary in Christ.
- Pope Francis: prayer to Mary as comfort and help.
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