Marian devotion
The parish of Bangnim-dong, in Gwangju, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Dolores. The advocation contemplates Mary in the moments when a sword crossed her heart and discovered her with those who suffer without abandoning faith or love.
Advocation: Our Lady of the Seven Dolores.
Korean name: The Castle of Chigo Chilgo-ui Seongmo.
Temple: INTERVIEW · Bangnim-dong Catholic Church.
Address: 11 Bang-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju 61678, Corea del Sur.
Parish Foundation: December 6, 1965.
Jurisdiction: Catholic archdiocese of Gwangju.
Coordinates checked: 35.1340774, 126.9217618.
An officially confirmed dedication
The Episcopal Conference of Korea records The Sacred HeartOur Lady of the Seven Dolores, as patron of Bangnim- dong. Its directory confirms the jurisdiction, the founding date and the address.
There is no Marian apparition linked to the parish. This page documents his dedication and the spirituality he expresses, without presenting it as a sanctuary for extraordinary phenomena.
A community founded in 1965
The parish was erected 6 December 1965. For six decades he has accompanied the Christian life of the Bangnim district and the southern district of Gwangju.
His employer offers an image of closeness that does not hide human fragility. Mary does not observe the pain from afar: she remains, listens and accompanies.
Mary's seven pains
The tradition includes seven episodes: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight to Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the temple, the encounter of Calvary, the crucifixion and death of the Lord, the descent of the cross and the burial.
These pains go through the Gospel from the childhood of Jesus to the tomb. They are not a enumeration to be recreated in sadness, but a school of compassion and perseverance.
The sword announced by Simeon
Simeon announces that Jesus will be a sign of contradiction and that a sword will pass through Mary's soul. Maternity is thus linked to a mission that includes incomprehension and proof.
Mary's faith does not prevent her from suffering. It allows him to pass through it while he is confident and without closing his heart to others.
The flight and loss
The flight to Egypt brings Mary closer to families displaced by violence. The search for Jesus lost in Jerusalem recalls the anguish of those who do not know where a loved one is.
Contemplating these episodes should lead to the reception of migrants, the protection of minors and the delicacy of families living in disappearance or separation.
By the way of the cross
Mary sees her Son rejected and condemned. He cannot withdraw the cross, but his presence prevents Jesus' suffering from being abandoned to indifference.
St. John Paul II teaches that Mary witnessed passion with her presence and participated through her compassion. This closeness inspires a pastoral hearing before explaining.
Al pie del Calvario
The Gospel of John places the Mother next to the cross. There he receives the disciple as a son and opens a motherhood that reaches the believing community.
Devotion to the Delicious adds nothing to the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Behold the disciple who remains united to him and learn to receive the pains of others as her own.
The descent and the burial
To receive the dead body and to accompany it to the grave, he brings Mary to those who have lost a child, a spouse, a father or a friend. There are duels that do not allow quick answers.
The Christian community can offer presence, prayer and concrete help, respecting the times of mourning and avoiding phrases that minimize the wound.
Compassion that protects
Accompanying pain does not mean accepting abuse or glorifying avoidable suffering. In the face of violence, disease or risk, compassion requires protection, professional care and justice.
Maria Dolorosa helps to look at the damage and to support the victim, not to impose silence or an insecure reconciliation.
Memory and peace for Korea
Gwangju knows the courage of preserving the memory of the suffering and dignity of the victims. Without attributing an undocumented historical interpretation to the parish, her patron invites her to unite memory, truth and compassion.
From Bangnim- dong can be asked for families separated from the peninsula, for those suffering without freedom and for a peace that does not erase the wounds.
verified location for the map
The official address is 11 Keunbigm-gilin Nam-gu. The mapping search by the Korean name identifies Bangrim-dong Catholic Church in 35.1340774, 126.9217618 and reproduces the same address.
The marker corresponds to the parish area of Gwangju and not to the generic centre of Bangnim-dong.
To visit and pray
The Crown of the Seven Dolores or the painful mysteries of the Rosary can be prayed for the sick, families in mourning, victims of violence and those who care. The hours should be confirmed directly before they come.
The visit must respect veneration and community life. Bangnim-dong is a parish dedicated to the Virgin of the Seven Dolores, not a place of apparitions.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Seven Dolores of Bangnim- dong
Our Lady of the Seven Dolores, keeps the parish of Bangnim-dong and the families of Gwangju. You who stood by the cross, accompany those who cry, protect the victims and strengthen those who care. Teach us to listen without judging, to serve without weary and to build for Korea a peace born of truth, justice and compassion. Amen.
Sources consulted
Is the advocation of the Virgin Mary of your people missing?
Si no encuentras la advocación mariana de tu ciudad o pueblo, cuéntanosla: la investigaremos para ubicarla y darla a conocer en este mapa del amor de la Madre por el mundo.
Propose an apvocation →