Marian devotion
In the neighbourhood of Dapsimni, east of Seoul, a Catholic community founded in 1975 will venerate Mary under one of its oldest and most central titles: Holy Mary, Mother of God. The advocation first proclaims the true identity of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Advocation: Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Korean name: The Holy Spirit Maria · Cheonjuui Seongmo Maria.
Temple: 답십리성당 · Dapsimni Catholic Church.
Address: 29 Jeonnong-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02605, South Korea.
Parish Foundation: 8 May 1975.
Jurisdiction: Catholic archdiocese of Seoul, eastern region.
Coordinates checked: 37.5675541, 127.0564737.
A title that protects faith in Christ
To call Mary "Mother of God" does not mean that she is before God or the origin of her divinity. It means that the eternal Son of God truly assumed our human nature and that who was born of Mary is one divine Person.
Christian tradition expresses this truth with the Greek term Theotokos"the one who gave birth to God." The Council of Ephesus, in 431, solemnly confirmed this language in the face of interpretations that divided Christ.
The Korean name
The expression Saint Mary is literally translated as "Holy Mother Mary of God." It is the same title that appears in the liturgical solemnity of January 1 and in the second part of the Avemaria: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us."
The official directory of the Catholic Church in Korea expressly identifies this advocation as the patron of Dapsimni. It is not an inference by an image or a popular name, but a documented parish patronage.
A parish born in 1975
Dapsimni was erected on 8 May 1975 in a phase of rapid urban growth in Seoul. It currently belongs to the seventh pastoral district Dongdaemun- Jungnang of the eastern region of the archdiocese.
The community is attended together with religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Korean Martyrs. The memory of the martyrs and the patronage of the Mother of God unite two essential dimensions of the Korean faith: fidelity to Christ and filial trust in Mary.
Mary in the mystery of the Incarnation
Divine motherhood begins with Mary's free self in the Annunciation. By the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word takes flesh into its bosom; it carries it, gives it to light and accompanies it with a faith that matures from Nazareth to the Cross.
That is why this invocation does not turn away from Jesus. On the contrary, he must confess that the child of Bethlehem is the Lord and that God has truly entered human history.
The Solemnity of the First Day of the Year
The Roman calendar celebrates St. Mary, Mother of God, on January 1, 8th of Christmas. The Church begins the calendar year by contemplating Christ in the arms of her Mother and praying for peace.
For an urban parish like Dapsimni, this date invites you to entrust the work, families, decisions and uncertainties of the new year. Mary teaches to keep events in her heart and to discern in them the presence of God.
A Maternity extended to the Church
At the foot of the Cross, Mary receives the beloved disciple as a son. His motherhood does not replace the grace of Christ, but serves the new life of those who form his Body, the Church.
In parish life, this mystery is concrete in reception, catechesis, visit to the sick and mutual care. Invoking the Mother of God commits to building a community where no one is spiritually orphaned.
verified location for the map
The Episcopal Conference and the Catholic directory of Seoul publish address 29 Jeonnong-ro. The cartographic consultation identifies the building in 37.5675541, 127.0564737.
The marker is located on the parish grounds, not on the centre of Dapsimni-dong. It is appropriate to confirm schedules and celebrations on the web or through the parish office.
To visit and pray
The first joyful mystery, the Annunciation, or the third, the Birth of Jesus can be prayed before this advocation. It is also particularly appropriate to pray for the mothers, children and peace of Korea.
The simplest jaculatory contains all the faith of the feast: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."
Prayer to St. Mary, Mother of God, of Dapsimni
Holy Mary, Mother of God, keeps the parish of Dapsimni and the families of eastern Seoul. Teach us to receive Jesus Christ with your own faith, to preserve his Word and to serve those who feel alone. Intercede for the peace of Korea and join us now and at the time of our death. Amen.
Sources consulted
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