Marian devotion
Wolgye-dong, in the Nowon district of Seoul, was born gathering faithful from two nearby parishes. Since his erection he has chosen as a patron the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary, an advocation that teaches to contemplate Jesus Christ with the eyes and memory of his Mother.
Official address: "Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary."
Temple: 월계동성당 · Wolgyedong Catholic Church.
Address: 80 Gwangun-ro, Wolgye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seúl 01886, Corea del Sur.
Documented parish Erection: 24 September 1992.
Primera misa parroquial: 11 October 1992.
Current temple: first mass on 11 June 2006; termination leave on 4 September 2006.
Parrots of origin: Jangwi@@
Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of Seoul, central region, fifth district of Nowon.
Coordinates checked: 37.624338649186, 127.06016051922.
A confirmed patronage from the source
The episcopal directory and parish history coincide in the title The Congregation of Rosario Maria. Wolgye- dong's own chronicle states that Our Lady of the Rosary was chosen as patron of the parish.
There is no local Marian apparition or a miraculous image. This document documents a stable parish patronage and its historical expression in the life of a community in Seoul.
The Rosary contemplates Christ
St. John Paul II explained that the Rosary, although Marian by its form, is a prayer centered on Christ. Each mystery goes through the Gospel and contemplates its incarnation, public life, passion and glory.
The avemarias create a rhythm of meditation; they do not replace the Word of God or the liturgy. Mary accompanies the disciple to know his Son better and to live what he contemplates.
On October 7
The liturgical memory of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated 7 October. For Wolgye-dong, the date is also very close to the anniversary of the arrival of the first parish priest and the first mass.
The party invites you to pray for peace without turning history into military exaltation. Christian peace requires truth, justice, responsible forgiveness and defense of the victims.
Nacida de Jangwi y Seokgwan
The parish was erected 24 September 1992 with territory and faithful from Jangwi-dong and Seokgwan-dong. It began with 4,872 faithful and 1,848 households in the three sectors of Wolgye.
The documented distribution was 3,895 faithful from Seokgwan-dong and 977 from Jangwi-dong. The new community inherited ties from both, but received their own identity and patronage.
The first mass
The first parish priest, Alfonso Song Jae-nam, arrived on 7 October 1992. Four days later, some six hundred people participated in the first mass of the parish and in its founding celebration.
During the following months, pastoral council, choirs, youth groups, accompaniment of the duel and other structures were born to support an extensive community.
Provisional tempering
In April 1993, the construction of an interim church began. It was completed in July and opened on 1 August, while the parish continued to gather resources for a final solution.
The parish life did not wait for the final building: there was biblical formation, school of elders, missionary consultation, groups of the Rosary and solidarity actions from the first years.
Accessibility from the start
In February 1993, the parish launched a specific vehicle for persons with disabilities. The data is particularly significant at a time when many communities and buildings offered serious barriers.
The devotion of the Rosary must reflect Mary's attention to the specific needs. Accessibility is not an added favor, but a condition for all to participate fully.
Construction of the present temple
After acquiring additional land, the work of the current building began in May 2004. Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo- jung presided in June 2005 at a mass when he reached the structure its main point.
The first Mass in the new temple was held 11 June 2006. The termination licence arrived on 4 September of that year, thus distinguishing liturgical use and administrative completion.
Una casa amplia
The parish history describes a 2,021 square metres and a 4,773 square metres building. These dimensions respond to the size of a community that grew from almost five thousand faithful.
The temple is not an end in itself: it serves the Eucharist, catechesis, prayer, the encounter between generations and the attention of those who need help.
Rosary for reconciliation
In June 1993, a few months after his birth, Wolgye- dong organized nine days of prayer for national reconciliation. In 1996 he also participated in a great offering of mysteries of the Rosary linked to the memory of St Andrew Kim Tae-gon.
On a divided peninsula, the Rosary can support the petition by separate families, religious freedom and a reunification that respects the dignity of all.
Writing, health and accompaniment
The community promoted groups of Bible study, education for the elderly, days of blood donation and health training for the neighborhood. In 2008, it also provided free psychological care to young people and university students.
These gestures avoid reducing the Rosary to isolated repetition. The contemplation of the mysteries of Christ leads to the integral care of the person.
The current community
The consulted episcopal directory records 7,710 faithful, two priests, the Sisters of the Charity of Jesus and no dependent missionary station.
The parish history places its scope in Wolgye 1, 2 and 3. Figures, managers and schedules change, so they should be confirmed directly before they go.
Precise location for the map
The Korean address record identifies the Wolgye-dong building in 80 Gwanga-ro, plot Wolgye-dong 372-3, and places it in 37.624338649186, 127.06016051922.
The marker corresponds to the temple, near the University and station of Kwangwoon. The centre of the Nwon district and the Jangwi and Seokgwan parent parishes are not used.
To visit and pray
Wolgye-dong is an active urban parish. Timelines must be confirmed, the liturgy and training activities must be respected and permission must be requested before people are photographed.
The Rosary for the peace of Korea, persons with disabilities, students of the environment, the elderly and those in need of psychological or health care can be offered.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary of Wolgye- dong
Our Lady of the Rosary, keeps the community of Wolgye- dong. Teach us to contemplate Jesus Christ and to turn every mystery into service. It brings together those from different stories, accompanies people with disabilities, strengthens young and older people and reaches a just and true peace for Korea. Amen.
Sources consulted
- Episcopal Conference of Korea: Wolgye-dong's record.
- Good News Catholic: corroboración parroquial.
- Wolgye-dong: thirty-year-old parish history.
- Archdiocese of Seoul: historical review of Wolgye-dong.
- Korean address, plot and coordinates register.
- San Juan Pablo II: Rosarium Feryis Mariae · Global Voices.
- Contrast Cartography of the Temple.
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