“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Ps 127:1)
On July 2nd, the community of Legionaries of Christ in Seoul, along with families, friends, members of Regnum Christi, and benefactors, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Legion and the Movement’s arrival in Korea.
A thanksgiving Mass was held, presided over by Mons. Peter Soon-Taek Jeong, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seoul and vicar for religious and consecrated life. The celebration took place at the parish of Seocho-dong.
Also concelebrating were Father Antonio Ruiz Bailleres, LC, Father Andrés Lee, pastor of Seocho-dong, Father Benedict Kim, S.V.D., provincial of the Missionaries of the Divine Word, and Father Lawrence Kettle, O.F.M. Cap., provincial of the Capuchins.
Several religious from Rome and Cheshire, the first Legionaries directly from Korea, were also present. Brothers Abraham Eo and Stephen Cho renewed their religious vows during the ceremony.
During the homily, Mons. Peter explained the beginnings of the Legion in Korea and its charism, and invited everyone to be leaven of evangelization in modern society.
He also emphasized that the founding of the Legion in Korea coincided with the feast of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean priest and patron of the Korean clergy. After Mass, a video was shown recounting the history of the Legion and the Movement, in general, and their first steps in Korea.
After the video, Father Simon Chung, LC, gave words of welcome and thanks, and Father Antonio Ruiz Bailleres, LC, conveyed the congratulations of Father John Connor, LC, territorial director of North America and Asia, inviting everyone to center their lives on faith and love for Christ.
Subsequently, Father Simon introduced the Korean brothers and their families, thanking them for their faith and generosity, and at that moment, the attendees gave them a big round of applause.
Regarding the event, Father Simon commented:
“We could feel very closely the hand of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary on this anniversary. A few days before the event, we visited Cardinal Nicholas Jeong, the former primate of Korea, who had received us 10 years ago in Seoul and presided over the Mass of the Legion’s and Regnum Christi’s foundation in Korea. The Cardinal encouraged us to keep going. We prayed together for a moment and received his blessing.
The presence of the Korean brothers, the first to join the Legion directly from Korea, has also been a blessing. Their youthful and joyful testimony simply impacts a lot. For me, in particular, the fidelity and perseverance of the Korean brothers is a clear sign of hope for the Legion and the Movement in Korea.
We have asked God as a gift for the 10th anniversary for one more missionary priest for our community, and we are still waiting…”.
