Marian devotion
In Guryongpo, the port town of Pohang open to the East Sea, a Korean parish has the title of Our Lady of Banneux, also known as Virgin of the Poor. His patronage links this port of Gyeongsang with the small Belgian village where the advocation was born in 1933.
Advocation: Our Lady of Bannux · Virgin of the Poor.
Korean name: The Holy Spirit of the Varian.
Temple: 구룡포성당 · Guryongpo Catholic Church.
Address: 2 Hungng-gil, Gudongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeng del Norte 37934.
Parish Foundation: 23 May 1986.
Jurisdiction: Catholic archdiocese of Daegu.
Coordinates checked: 35.9858642, 129.5474915.
A Belgian advocation in Korea
La Conferencia Episcopal de Corea registers como patronazgo The Virgin Mary, "Our Lady of Bannux." The tradition of Bannux also uses the title "Virgin of the Poor."
A Korean Catholic source dedicated to this advocation expressly points to Guryongpo as a parish of the archdiocese of Daegu who has received her as a patron. It is therefore not a similarity of images, but an official dedication.
Banneux y Mariette Beco
The invocation comes from the events of Mariette Beco, a humble family girl, in Bannux, Belgium, during 1933. The message insists on Mary's prayer and request for the poor, the sick and the suffering.
The small chapel requested in Bannux began to be built that same year. Over time, devotion spread across many countries and gave rise to hundreds of chapels dedicated to the Virgin of the Poor.
Guryongpo: a community in front of the sea
Guryongpo belongs to the municipality of Pohang and its identity is closely linked to the port and fishing. In this context, the title of the Virgin of the Poor invites us to look at the specific lives of those who work at sea, support their families and face uncertain seasons.
The parish was founded on 23 May 1986. Its presence offers a stable place for the Eucharist, prayer and accompaniment in a population far from the city centre of Pohang.
Poverty in the light of the Gospel
The name "Virgin of the Poor" does not idealize lack or turn suffering into a spectacle. It recognizes the closeness of God to those who are ignored and calls on the Christian community to combat exclusion with concrete works.
Mary sings in the Magnificat that God brings down the powerful and exalts the humble. His intercession does not replace human responsibility: he moves to share, accompany and defend the dignity of all.
Prayer for those who live from the sea
In a port parish, the title makes it possible to rely especially on fishermen, sailors, market workers, families waiting for their return and people affected by accidents or economic difficulties.
It also invites the sea to be cared for as a received creation, preventing devotion from being separated from responsibility for the sustenance of future generations.
verified location for the map
The episcopal directory places the parish at 2 Hudong-gil. The cartographic search for the same address and coordinates 35.9858642, 129.5474915.
The marker is located in Guryongpo-eup, east of Pohang, and not in the centre of Daegu, the seat of the archdiocese.
To visit and pray
It is an active parish with a small community. Before the trip it is appropriate to confirm the schedules and respect the celebrations. The Korean address facilitates navigation:
The Magnificat, Matthew 25, 31-46 or the joyful mysteries of the Rosary can be prayed, entrusting Mary to the poor families and to all those who work at sea.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Poor of Guryongpo
Our Lady of Bannux, Virgin of the Poor, keeps the parish of Guryongpo. It protects those who go out to sea, comforts the families who wait and opens our eyes to all need. Make us humble, generous and faithful to Jesus Christ, who became poor to enrich us with his love. Amen.
Sources consulted
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