Marian devotion
The community of Yuljeon- dong began celebrating the Eucharist in the basement of an apartment block. Today, a great mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help It visually embraces the presbytery and recalls that the help received from Mary leads to Christ and becomes service.
Official address: "The Lady of Perpetual Relief."
Temple: The Catholic Church of Yuljeon-dong.
Address: 2162-6 Seobu-ro, Don-gu, Suwon@@
First local mass: 14 September 1983.
Parish Foundation: January 22, 1988 according to ecclesial history.
Proceeds: Jowon-dong parishioner.
First Mass in the New Church: 2 June 1989.
Jurisdiction: diócesis de Suwon.
Coordinates checked: 37.3009473, 126.9735204.
Patronazgo confirmed
The Episcopal Conference of Korea is a patron of God’s Word, the Virgin Mary of Perpetual Help. The Catholic Encyclopedia of Korea and the contemporary diocesan chronicle confirm the same title.
The advocation officially belongs to the parish and has not been inferred from an isolated image.
This means el Perpetuo Socorro
"Perpetuus" does not promise a life without disease, loss or uncertainty. It expresses confidence in a spiritual motherhood that does not abandon the disciple and that always directs him to Jesus Christ.
"Help" doesn't mean a magic force either. Mary intercedes, sustains hope and educates to listen to the Gospel, receive the sacraments and provide concrete help to the neighbor.
A community before a building
In March 1982 there were about thirty Catholic families in Yuljeon- dong. The growth began to accelerate with the construction of the Cheonrok apartments, especially for older Catholic people.
The promotion announced a place to celebrate mass. When families began to arrive in 1983, about forty really lived there, but the promise was fulfilled by enabling a space of about thirty pyeng in the basement of the second block.
The small church in the basement
The faithful gathered funds to acquire the necessary elements and placed signs identifying the "small church of Yuljeon" both at the entrance to the basement and next to the surveillance post of the whole.
El 14 September 1983, the priest of Bugok, Father Paul Choi Deok-ki, presided over the first mass. That basement was a real beginning, not a stage to hide in front of the back building.
The Bugok a Jowon-dong
In November 1986 the ecclesial attention of the community moved from Bugok to Jowon-dong. In two years, the old season had grown to 144 families and 342 faithful.
The basement was insufficient. On 18 January 1988 a land of approximately 1,011 was acquired pyeng para un iglesia propia.
Foundation of the parish
Four days later, the 22 January 1988, the small church was raised to parish and Father Stephen Han Jong@-@ hun assumed as the first parish priest.
The summary directory is delivered on February 24. The detailed history of the Korean Church and the recent diocesan chronicle coincide on January 22; this fact sheet adopts that date and records the registration variant.
The Church of 1989
The community built the temple on the acquired ground and celebrated the first mass at its lower level 2 June 1989. The red brick building was left between large roads and residential assemblies.
Urban growth continued and forced the reorganization of sectors and small groups. The parish thus accompanied the transformation of northern Suwon.
The garden of Mary
In 1998, repairs, gardening work and a Marian space were made in front of the main entrance. The intervention brought together material maintenance and memory of the patronage.
A Marian garden does not transform the temple instead of apparitions. It offers a prayer space and offers visitors access to the church.
The great mosaic of the presbyterium
As the interior deteriorated after a decade, the community decided to cover the wall of the presbytery with a monumental interpretation of the Perpetual Relief icon.
The artists Luke Ko Seung-yong and Veronica Yoon Hye-young worked with pigmented and cooked tile pieces. The clear tones prevent the composition from being oppressive and make it seem to wrap the altar and assembly.
The star, the Spirit and the world
A star shines over Mary's head. The artistic chronicle explains that it symbolizes the light of Christ offered to those who feel lost in a dark sea.
A white form like a bird surrounds the star and evokes the Holy Spirit. Under Mary there appears a map of the world, an expression of a maternal relief open to all peoples.
The crown
On the roof hangs a large crown-shaped lamp, related to the crown of the image. From the top floor, Mary seems to look at the community under that bright sign.
The crown does not present Mary as God's rival power. It recognizes the dignity received from Christ and his maternal service in the communion of the saints.
Archangels, sacraments and pains
The set includes reliefs of the archangels Gabriel and Miguel, present in the iconographic tradition of Perpetuo Socorro. The pavement of the presbytery symbolically represents the seven sacraments.
On both sides are works on Mary's seven pains, made with lands from different regions of Korea and preserving its natural colors.
Una hecha work of fragments
The mosaic brings together countless fragments to form a single image. The artist also proposes to consider it as a metaphor for the community and the history of faith of each family.
The permanence of the material and the variety of tones seek to create an inheritance capable of accompanying later generations, not a decoration with a passing effect.
Parroquia madre de Ilwol
In December 2000, the construction of the church of Ilwol began. On 30 January 2001, the new parish was erected and Yuljeon- dong transferred 717 families and 2,176 faithful.
Years later, the community also supported the construction of Ip buk-dong with contributions for land and parish division. The Perpetual Relief was thus made concrete help for new communities.
Help that partakes
A parish cannot ask Mary for help and remain indifferent to the suffering. Devotion is verified in listening, food, accompaniment and responsible access to medical, psychological, legal or social care.
Prayer does not replace such professional assistance. It can give strength to seek it, offer it without humiliating and support the person during the process.
verified location for the map
The current official address is 2162-6 Seubu-roin Jangan- gu. The search for the full Korean name places the church in 37.3009473, 126.9735204.
The coordinate coincides with the temple next to the residential blocks. The generic centre of Yuljeon-dong and the parish of Ilwol have not been used.
To visit and pray
The visitor can contemplate the mosaic without forgetting that it is an active parish. It is appropriate to confirm schedules, remain silent and not photograph people or celebrations without permission.
It can be entrusted to those who seek urgent help and end the prayer by asking, "Who can I help today with respect and constancy?"
Prayer to Our Lady of the Perpetual Help of Yuljeon- dong
Mother of the Perpetual Relief, he keeps the parish of Yuljeon-dong, born in the simplicity of a basement. Like the pieces of his mosaic, he brings our lives around Jesus Christ. Hold those who are lost or injured, protect families and teach us to offer humble, responsible and persistent help. Pray for Korean peace. Amen.
Sources consulted
- Episcopal Conference of Korea: official directory of Yuljeon-dong.
- Good News Catholic: corroboración parroquial.
- Encyclopedia Católica de Korea: a detailed history of the parish.
- Good News y The Catholic Times: arte mariano de Yuljeon-dong.
- Diocese of Suwon: help from Yuljeon- dong to the church of Ipbuk- dong.
- St. John Paul II: prayer to the Perpetual Relief.
- Pope Francis: Mary, Mother with Suffering.
- Mapping verified by name and address.
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