Santa Maria, Mother of God, from Geumchon 2-dong - A parish of Paju born in 2005

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The Community Geumchon 2-dongin the city of Paju, it is presented with a simple and deeply Christological expression: "parish of St. Mary, Mother of God." Born in 2005, it raised its temple as it shaped a new Catholic community.

A new parish in a changing city

Geumchon is part of Paju, north-west of Seoul and near the inter-Korean border. The parish was erected in May 2005. His chronology retains the arrival of the first parish priest on May 25 and the choice, a few days later, of the land where the construction would begin.

The temple did not precede the community. The faithful celebrated, organized and maintained the works as the parish took its first steps. In July 2006 the first Mass and meeting took place in the new space; the solemn dedication of the temple was held on February 26, 2017.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

The official page of the parish calls Saint MaryHoly Mary, Mother of God. The title does not claim that Mary is the origin of divinity. He confesses that the Son whom he conceived and gave birth to is one person, true God and true man.

Therefore the divine motherhood of Mary protects the center of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ. The Catechism recalls that the Church confesses Mary as the Mother of God because Jesus, his son, is truly the eternal Son of the Father made man.

A community built step by step

The parish history records not only works, but ecclesial life: the first mass, the constitution of the pastoral council, solidarity activities, biblical formation and encounters for the reconciliation and unity of the Korean people.

In 2019, a commemorative year was opened for the fifteenth anniversary. This tour shows how a young pastoral territory can acquire memory through the sacraments, service and daily perseverance.

Mary by a wounded border

The proximity of Paju to the demilitarized zone gives a particular resonance to Mary's motherhood. As the Mother of Christ and the spiritual mother of the disciples, he brings together in prayer those who are separated from history and politics.

The parish chronology itself includes a cultural celebration for reconciliation and national unity. Marian devotion can sustain that hope without making it a slogan: it asks for hearts capable of listening, forgiving and working for a true peace.

verified location for the map

The parish website and the Episcopal Conference publish the same address in Hanmaeum 1-gil. The chart identifies the temple, its phone and its official site in 37.7560108, 126.7713143.

The marker corresponds to the parish building of Geumchon 2-dong and not to the oldest parish of Geumchon or to the general centre of Paju.

To visit and pray

The parish maintains an active website with times of mass and warnings, but it is appropriate to confirm them before going. The visitor must respect the development of the liturgy and the ordinary life of the community.

The first joyful mystery, the Magnificat or a ten of the Rosary for the reconciliation of Korea, divided families and those living near borders, can be prayed.

Prayer to St. Mary, Mother of God, from Geumchon

Holy Mary, Mother of God, keeps the parish of Geumchon 2-dong and the whole city of Paju. You who welcomed the Prince of Peace, accompany the separated families, comfort those who live with uncertainty and teach us to recognize the near God in Jesus Christ. Make us building patients of reconciliation. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Episcopal Conference of Korea: official record.
• Parish of Geumchon 2-dong: patronage, direction and parish life.
• Parish of Geumchon 2-dong: historical chronology.
• Verified temple mapping.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: the divine motherhood of Mary.

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