By the grace of God, I used to be despatched to different nations to reside a blessed however difficult missionary life. Essentially the most merciful and beneficiant God gave me numerous alternatives to expertise one thing new, inspiring and worthwhile. However, I couldn’t endure and overcome numerous conditions, and I needed to come again sooner than I anticipated. I wasn’t capable of regulate myself to missionary life that regards the communion of life as essentially the most elementary side of the non secular life.
In gratitude, I attempted laborious with hope and enthusiasm, however I renounced the whole lot with out difficult myself in entrance of vertical limits. Essentially the most crucial downside was resulted in contact human relationships.
I used to be reluctant to face actuality however I listened to the interior voice. Consequently, I gave up my dream to reside a missionary life. Every little thing took a lot braveness, religion and perseverance.
Going through my limitations, I used to be despatched to Andong and I met the admirable Bishop Rene Dupont (1929-) who got here to Korea in 1954 as a missionary priest from France. His cheerful and inspiring presence in Korea has impressed so many individuals. He went via essentially the most difficult intervals of Korea stuffed with financial poverty, plenty of political and social ups and downs and marvelous transformation as nicely.
Bishop Dupont was ordained a priest in 1953 as a member of the Paris Overseas Missions Society (Missions Etrangeres De Paris). Since childhood, he wished to be a priest to reside like Jesus.
He served on the Diocese of Daejeon from 1955 to 1967. Then, he was ordained a bishop in 1969 and served for the sake of the Diocese of Andong as much as 1990. Lastly, he obtained Korean citizenship in 2019.
He all the time encourages us to reside joyfully with dignity and gratitude. Pleasure is the key phrase of his pastoral life, and his easy and pleased presence witnesses the enjoyment of the Gospels.
In each Catholic church or group in Andong, there’s a massive stone pill expressing the Andong Diocese Mission Assertion titled “Joyfully with dignity”:
Joyfully with dignity
We reside on this place
with an open thoughts.
We reside merely,
cherish life,
share and serve each other,
and construct a joyful Kingdom of God.
Actually, to construct, reside and proclaim the joyful Kingdom of God, what we want most is openness, simplicity, respect for all times, sharing and repair.
What led him to maintain his missionary life in Korea for 71 years? I imagine essentially the most inspiring interior energy got here from the fixed communication with God and his father, who despatched him a letter as soon as every week for 30 years. Communion of life is a strong supply of vitality to reside joyfully with dignity.
He all the time saved in thoughts his duty as a lifelong missionary. He revered Korean tradition and wholeheartedly supported the poor, the marginalized and the deserted. He devoted himself to selling human rights for the deprived and the agricultural farmers.
Being referred to as the candlelight of Andong and the godfather of rural ministry, Bishop Dupont now lives at Bongyang cultural village in Uiseong. The one purpose for him to settle on this village was as a result of there was not a single Catholic there. His home is all the time open broad to everyone.
Residing in Andong, it’s such a blessed pleasure for us to go to him as soon as a month for Confession. God supplies the whole lot.
Kim Ae-ran is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), residing the Good Information and proclaiming it with numerous technique of social communication.
