On 28 June, Bishop Job Koo Yo-bi of the Archdiocese of Seoul presided over the ordination ceremony of four Jesuits who were ordained as priests: Matthew Lee Bo-Ram, Jerome Park Byung-Hoon, James Kim Jong-yun, and Chrysanthus Yang Seung-Hwahn. The ceremony took place at Myeong-dong Cathedral.
In his homily, Bishop Job Koo Yo-Bi invoked the words of Pope Francis, encouraging the new priests to remember that the Church is meant be a “field hospital”. He urged them to go beyond themselves and seek out those who are on the margins, fulfilling their “noble and holy mission while responding to God’s call.”
The newly ordained priests expressed their feelings in an interview video released just before their ordination. Fr Matthew Lee Bo-Ram expressed his determination to be a humble priest before God, and Fr Jerome Park Byung-Hoon spoke of his dedication to embrace the priestly life constantly asking for God’s help in the midst of his weaknesses, inadequacies, and fears. Fr James Kim Jong-yun humbly confessed that his journey with the Society of Jesus has had its challenges and unexpected turns, but he has grown to love his vocation. Lastly, Fr Chrysanthus Yang Seung-Hwahn expressed his desire to share the love and mercy he has received from God throughout his 10 years in the Society.
Fr Paschal Kim Yong-su, Provincial of the Korean Province, thanked the benefactors for coming to the Mass despite the sweltering weather and all those who enriched the ordination ceremony. He also gave a special advice to the four new priests, reminding them of their call as Jesuits. He said: “Jesuits are sent to the frontiers of the world, where Jesus Christ has not yet been fully revealed. It is in the marginalised and impoverished corners of the globe, in the places where injustice seems to have greater power, that you are called to go and reveal Jesus Christ more fully.” [Korean Province Media and Communications Apostolate]