Rome (SE): The Association of Korean Nuns in Rome celebrated the 20th anniversary of their establishment with a special Mass at the Pontifical Korean College celebrated by Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul, who was attending the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, the Committee for Communications, Archdiocese of Seoul said in a press release on October 23.
The association, currently led by chairperson, Sister Beatrice Kim Hye-yoon of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Mirinae, was founded in Rome, Italy, in 2003. It has since grown to include 29 congregations and 99 members.
In the beginning most members were students, now a significant number of nuns are involved in core roles within the Holy See, religious congregations, parishes, and social welfare institutions.
Sister Kim noted, “Korean female religious who received their formation 20 years ago are now actively serving as leaders and educators within their congregations.” She further emphasised that the transformation represents a significant milestone in the history of the Korean Church and its female religious communities.
During the Mass, Archbishop Chung lauded the dedication of the association, saying, “I have heard for over a decade that Korean nuns in various Roman communities work three to five times harder than other.” He stressed the significance of the presence and roles of the nuns as a service and dedication to the entire global Church.
He said, “The essence of a religious is to bear witness to the Kingdom of God,” and he urged those present to remember the love of God they felt when making their commitment to a life devoted to God’s service. He also encouraged them to deepen their spiritual experience and bring it back to Korea to share and bear witness to the faith.
Oh Hyun-joo, South Korea’s ambassador to the Holy See, also attended the Mass and highlighted the significance of the year 2023, noting that it marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Holy See.
She also mentioned the installation of a statue of St. Andrew Kim Taegon outside St. Peter’s Basilica and the decision to host the World Youth Day in Korea in 2027. She pledged continued cooperation and support for the association in the years to come.
