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DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER

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DPN 364 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, KOREA July 2013

(Poem dedicated to our GOD both Korean Christian & Buddhist nuns in solidarity & friendship)

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Sisters in Harmony

Tuesday, July 23:

A modest feast day celebration was held in the

refectory for Sr. Christina Moon on the evening of

July 23 after supper. All groups from postulants to

elder Sisters sang a congratulation song followed by

short numbers.

Saturday, July 20:

Six junior Sisters completed the 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

at the Benedict Spirituality Center in Sasudong. They grew in strength in their

call to surrender wholly to Christ. They are those in preparation for the perpetual

profession expected to be on St. Scholastica’s Feast day, February 11, 2014.

Monday, July 22:

Mother Lumen Choi and two Sisters attended the 125th

Anniversary of foundation of St. Paul of

Chartres’ congregation in Korea. It was the first female religious congregation in Korea, from 1888.

Now in the 21st century, the Sisters have increased to more than 800 Sisters.

July 22 - 31:

Four novices and directress Sr. Virginia Lee spent a 9-day vacation at Uljin house from July 22 to 31.

July 26 - 31:

Yeonhwari Retreat House hosted its famous Ongdal Sem Summer Camp from July 26-28 and from

July 30-31. The topic of this camp was “In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.” based on the liturgy of the Mass. Many children from various parishes and schools

attended to the camp with lots of fun programs such as camp fires, water games, quizzes, paintings

and songs.

Apostolate news

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Wednesday – Sunday, July 3 - 7:

Under the motto “Ora et Labora” of St. Benedict, 11 youngsters participated in the retreat directed

by the Darak team. The participants followed the monastic schedule of praying and working in

community. Lectures of St. Benedict’s life and spirituality, the importance of Liturgy and Lectio

Divina were delivered with workshops in the kitchen, farm and sewing room. It was a time to seek

God in simple things.

July 4 - 8:

Mother Lumen Choi, Prioress in Daegu along with Sr. Jean Marie Chang, Executive Officer of

Daegu Fatima Hospital and Dr. Kwon GiTae, Mr. Kwak SungHung and Waegwan Abbey’s Oblate

Norberto set off for Vietnam on July 4-8. The purpose of the visit was to study in detail the project

An Bihn Clinic which started 10 years ago when the St. John’s congregation launched the mission

to provide medical care for the poor and the needy in Vietnam, particularly in Da-Nang City.

However, over the years the government of Vietnam has frozen missionary activities over the Dan-

Nang City and the project had to be interrupted up to this moment.

Not so long ago, small changes have been emerged in that country. The government of Vietnam

decided to “give back” the project to Da-Nang Diocese with legitimate rights. In this way, Da-Nang

Diocese is currently in need for medical support to achieve the primary goal of assisting the poor.

The buildings are half constructed with foundations, walls and roofs erected, but no windows, doors

nor electricity.

Also Mother Lumen was surprised by the number of Vietnamese Sisters which exceeds 500

professed Sisters and 150 in novitiate in one convent she visited. “It’s a poor, but blessed country

on fire for faith,” Said Mother Lumen back in Korea in her visit-report presented to the community

on Monday evening of July 22.

▲ Pictures of DaNang Cathedral ▲Picture of 2 uncompleted buildings of An Bihn Clinic

With a new insight, after the directions of the Rome General Chapter on ‘Conversatio Morum and

New Evangelization’ following the recent 25th

Daegu Priory Chapter, Daegu Priory is more than

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ever ready to follow the directions with an evangelical spirit in solidarity with the poor. In this

matter, Daegu Priory wishes to assist under the following conditions:

- DFH and Daegu Priory would collaborate to complete the construction of 2 buildings which

would function as a treatment building for patients and a dormitory for the doctors and employees.

- We would provide X-ray machines and other equipment for medical examinations with proper

specialists and doctors in each field.

Bishop Joseph, Fr. Min, Fr. John, Fr. Michael, who are relevant members of this project, were very

grateful for this proposal and they promised to deal with other issues such as legal matters and

documentation. However, we are not pretty much sure if the Government of Vietnam will permit

the project of Da-Nang Diocese to be completed. Once again, we put our intention to assist in this

project to God’s hands with the help of the Holy Mother of Vietnam.

◀ Marian Shine of

Vietnam

July 23 - 28:

To tell you the truth, I wasn’t very excited to go to World Youth Day.

I was feeling a little sick and a lot of my friends who I tried to

convince to go with me ended up not going, which left me a bit down.

On the first couple of days, the weather also didn’t help: it was

cold and there was a lot of rain. To make things worse, we kept

having problems with the activities on our itinerary. Shows were

cancelled, the locations were far from one another, large crowds

didn’t allow us to get to where we wanted to go, etc. We walked

extremely far for extremely little return. It was exhausting.

But there is always another side to things. So I tried to see it all in

another light. I tried to search for good things within that

pilgrimage in the midst of the fatigue and discouragement. After

all, I was there to seek God. And I think I found Him, but I wasn’t

the only one. I could see that there were others there with the same purpose as mine. I met good

people that were willing to help, to do good. People that wanted to exchange belongings with other

people, take photos with other people, get to know other people. People who liked other people.

I’ve been to other events with large crowds, and the general feeling – the vibe – at WYD was

completely different. This was extremely encouraging and truly increased my faith in humanity; as

the Pope said several times during the pilgrimage we, the youth, are the future of this world.

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What also came to mind during WYD is that God was there

helping us the entire time. We walked a lot during the six days

of the pilgrimage. In our parish group, I saw many girls that

seemed too weak to walk the far distances, others that were

exhausted and bruised from the previous walks, and others who

were sick because of the rain and bad weather. Including me –

there were times that I thought to myself, “Oh no, I’m dying! I

can’t take it anymore!” But what surprised me was that in the

end, all of us were able to reach our destination safe and sound.

I saw that all of the people who I had doubted would make it,

did truly make it. Some even had the energy to cheer on the

ones who were worn out. I felt extremely grateful to have

witnessed this.

After I returned from the pilgrimage, I thought back to

everything that I went through in Rio and I believe one of the most memorable moments was the

final mass – more specifically, during the prayer of the faithful. During the prayer, representatives

of different continents went up on stage to say a prayer: an Asian, a Latino, an African, a European,

and so on. I didn’t understand one word that they said, but I felt so proud to be Catholic! There we

were: completely diverse people inasmuch in appearance as in way of life. People that lived in

diverse places, under completely different circumstances and conditions. People that ate diverse

foods and that dressed differently. We were people speaking completely different languages that

somehow were able to communicate. We came from diverse traditions and cultures but somehow

understood each other. All because we had something in common: we were Catholics! All because

we had a common source of faith: Jesus! It was an emotional experience; a unique experience that I

will always carry with me. Before the pilgrimage, I think I

wasn’t too excited about going because I felt like a

hypocrite. I was very distant from God, and going to an

event like a religious pilgrimage didn’t seem right. But it

turns out that it was there, at that very place, that I found

more of God in my life.

- by Marcelo Cheong -

(Translated by Fabiana Yu)

March – July:

It has already been over a month since I came back from Puttalam, Sri Lanka. Looking back the

period of four months from March 10 to July 9 I spent there, I feel like it was a dream with many

blessings. I can’t forget specially the beautiful sunrise welcoming me through the road from

Colombo Airport to the convent when I first arrived in Puttalam. I felt it was a sign of God’s grace

and my heart filled with joy and hope.

When I arrived at Puttalam Community on March 10, there were four members in that community:

an Italian Sister, M. Ildegarde, General Prioress of Benedictine Sisters of Monte Virgine, Sister

Gabriella who is also Italian and two native postulants, Nishanti and Marry. M. Ildegarde came to

Sri Lanka to promote vocation in 2007 and settled down in Puttalam in 2011. Puttalam is located in

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northern part of Sri Lanka, in dry zone with high temperature. To tell you the truth, I had just three

times of brief rain during my four months of mission experience. Therefore, one of the important

duties was to water plants and flowers. There is tap water but not good to drink because of a lot of

limestone. We have to buy water for drinking.

Daily life in Puttalam was very simple. We observed the Divine Office with a daily Holy Mass with

meditation time and Rosary recitation, we cooked and had our meals, we studied and worked and

had our recreation time just like a Benedictine community. Our house was surrounded by mango

and coconut trees. So, in the morning and evening we could listen to the birds coming to our garden

to look for something to eat. Needless to say, they always ate our mangoes and coconuts.

The Official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. However, English is common in government offices.

I communicated with postulants in English. They are so young, very simple, cheerful and lovely and

also eager to learn. So we laughed and had fun during classes as well as work. My duties were to

teach postulants English, share Bible meditation, introduce St. Benedict Rule and help M. Ildegarde

with chores of the house.

Our meal was also very modest with salty rice, a curry dish and one or two side dishes such as salad

and fried fish. The food was very spicy because of curry. The flavor of curry varies from mild to hot

in taste. Sri Lankan people like very hot curry and our postulants are no exception. Plastic ice-cream

containers were used to serve curried food. There was nothing to throw out. Instead, everything was

saved to be used as a second hand. The Sisters have lived simple and thrifty life with the least things.

Nobody complained the inconvenience. I had experienced such a simple lifestyle which led me to

have a simple mind. I came to understand why Saints had lived simple life. As a matter a fact, M.

Ildegarde and Sr. Gabriella had inspired me a lot. They accepted and adapted themselves to Sri

Lankan people, in their lifestyle, food and culture. I am sure it has not been easy for the Sisters in

their 60s and 80s to live in other country. I got a good example from them in matters of being as a

real missionary. Missionaries should adjust to the weather, food, people and other circumstances.

Acceptance and respect are important factors in mission field. We should understand other culture

as they are with open mind, without giving any prejudice and criticism.

Sri Lanka is a practical Buddhist country with other religions. About 70% of the population is

Buddhist and 15% Hinduism, 7.5% Muslim, and 7.5% Christian. Sri Lankan people devote to their

belief since their childhood. It’s very interesting to see many statues of Buddha, Jesus, Mother Mary,

St. Antonia and other gods along the streets in Sri Lanka. They respect other religions and live

peacefully in Sri Lanka. It’s very easy to hear prayers from loudspeakers of the Catholic parish

churches, Muslim and Hindu Temples in the early morning. Perhaps because of Sri Lankans’ strong

belief, “goodness” which is inside of them, is expressed in their attitude, in their eyes and face. I

could witness it especially through the children who looked so innocent and happy. Looking them

brought me joy and happiness. Surely this experience was a God’s gift to me.

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Regarding to Christianity in Puttalam, there is St. Mary Church right next to our Convent, which is

the biggest parish church in the Diocese. The parishioners are very faithful so that the church was

always crowded with children and their families on Sunday’s services. After Mass many children

came to the Sisters to ask a blessing and we blessed them by saying “Jesu Bihittai(God Bless you)”

in Sinhala with kisses on their both cheeks. For Pentecost, all parishioners prayed all night long in

the garden of the church and there was a long procession of the Eucharist on the Solemnity of the

Body and Blood of Jesus in the village. I was very touched by their pure devotion.

Above all, the most precious experience was to meet the poor. There were several opportunities to

visit poor villages since M. Ildegard had a lot of concerns of pastoral works for the poor. The poor

have some things in common such as no clean water, no electricity, and houses were all made of

coconut leaves. Their health condition was threatened by insanitary water and living conditions.

Other similarities were that they all had bright smiles, heartfelt hospitality and openness toward

others. They were all open handed people. The children in the villages are malnourished. So we

brought boxes of milk powder for them. I cannot forget a mother bringing cups of milk with candies

for us, prepared with the milk powder that we brought for their children. Her bright smile seemed to

say, ‘I’m very happy that I can treat you.’ I could slightly understand what Jesus said, “Happy are

those who are poor!” Because they are satisfied with what they have and have no greed. And they

can be happy even though their lifestyle is not convenient with no money to a better condition.

However, they were able to be happy and thank for the little more they receive. Leaving the villages,

I thank God for their high level of happiness.

On July 11, St. Benedict Feast, there was a rite of the Initiation to the Novitiate in Puttalam

Community and Vicaress Sr. Lumen Gloria from Generate in Rome came and presided over the rite.

The Puttalam Community came to start newly as a Novitiate formally from then. Now there are two

novices, Nishanti and Mary. M. Ildegard’s effort of promoting Vocation came to fruition so that

there are two novices, one postulant and two candidates in Puttalam Novitiate and the Novitiate

began its new voyage under the Novice Directress Sr. Fidelis. Thanks be to God!!

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I would like also to take this opportunity to thank M.

Angela in Rome and M. Lumen in Daegu for allowing

me to go and have this wonderful experience in Puttalam

Community. I am also very grateful to M. Ildegard, Sr.

Gabriella, Sr. Fidelis, Sr. Angeline, Nishanti, Mary,

Tirony, Kishanti, Virgini and all friends in Puttalam for

their genuine love and generosity. Thank You!!

-Sr. Genovefa Shin, OSB-

2nd from left stands Sr. Friedhelma as postulant in Tutzing

Sr. Friedhelma was born to Ludwig Grimm and Matia

Grimm as their second child. She has an older brother

and a younger brother and a sister. She was baptized

as Karolina one week after birth.

Her family was a very devout Catholic. Father

Fabianus Damm, OSB of Waegwan Benedictine

Abbey (1900.~1964) was her cousin. They suffered

together at Oksaduk hard labor camps. Sr. Friedhelma

didn’t have the talent for languages.

Comings & Goings Monday, July 8: Arrival of Sr. Ambrosia Lee from China for VISA renewal.

Wednesday, July 10: Arrival of Sr. Genovefa Shin from Sri Lanka after her mission experience of 4

months.

Wednesday, June 26: Departure of Sr. Isaac Bae to Tanzania, Ndanda Priory and Peramiho Priory for

Bible reading retreats.

A little bit of knowledge from one of our pioneers…

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When she was missioned to Wonsan, she needed to learn both Korean and Japanese. This situation

didn’t help her learning. She always served others by her gentle and humble service and sacrifices

rather than by words. She had a beautiful high soprano voice and her angelic voice pleased people.

She served the community singing in the little choir.

Her deep faith and trust in God sublimated her religious life and everything else. Even at Oksaduk

hard labor camps from 1949 to 1954, she did her best in everything and every commanded work,

quietly, faithfully and with praying attitude. Hidden in her scarifying life she was, nevertheless,

always open to her neighbors, especially to the helpless poor who needed her helping hands.

She was repatriated from Oksaduk hard labor camps with the others in 1954. After three years of

recuperation, she came back on December 3, 1957 to Daegu Priory in Korea. At that time the whole

Korea was poor. Around the Daegu Fatima Hospital, hungry and sickly, utter poor were scattered

all over. She served these poor and sickly at the Santa Maria Free Clinic. She served them spending

all her working hours. She did everything well in her quiet manner using her best skills. At the

convent she served as the Infirmarian. Here too, she did her best serving all in her humble and quiet

attitude and care. She treated an aspirant or an elderly Sister warmly and with the same utmost care.

She couldn’t communicate well in words because of her language problem but her motherly and

gentle hands made every sick person well and thankful.

Sr. Friedhelma working at Santa Maria Free Clinic in 1960

As Daegu Fatima Hospital became enlarged, her Santa Maria Free Clinic was incorporated into the

larger hospital. Then, she worked in the hospital’s pharmacy. In the pharmacy, she sorted the

German medicines that came in boxes from time to time from German benefactors. These

medicines worked marvels when there were very few pharmaceutical companies in Korea.

By and by, Korea was rebuilding itself and the number of the poor was less but there were still poor

people always coming and around. She kept on helping these people whenever she had time.

(to be continued on next edition)

-Sr. Veronica Lee-

Responsible for the Chronicles of Daegu Priory

(Translated by Sr. Maria Paul Sung)

“…that in all things God may be glorified” (Pt 4,11)

Newsletter: osb_news@hanmail.net

Homepage: www.benedictine.or.kr