A thousand young Koreans visit Rome for Jubilee

Source: Vatican Media

More than a thousand young Koreans are on their way to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Youth. The Catholic community of Seoul greeted the young pilgrims with the Mass for '1004 Project,' which takes its name from the Korean word 'cheon-sa' (which both means 'angel and the number 1004). In recent months, the project has offered an intense journey of spiritual preparation to young Koreans, the first step of which is the Jubilee of Youth and the final goal of which will be World Youth Day, to be celebrated in Seoul in 2027.

During the celebration on Saturday in the main hall of Dongsung High School in Seoul, young people, priests, religious, and lay people from the entire community were greeted and blessed. From July 28 to August 3, they will travel to Assisi, Milan, Turin, and Rome, visiting shrines and sites associated with the saints as moments of preparation and inspiration.

During the Mass, Mgr Paul Kyung-sang Lee, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul and General Coordinator of the Seoul WYD Organizing Committee, reflected on the Gospel of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), urging the young pilgrims to "remember that the true purpose of this pilgrimage is to encounter the love of the Lord, who comes to serve us." The pilgrims promised to live in love for one another and for their neighbours, and to be witnesses of hope throughout the Jubilee experience.

A special moment for young Koreans in Rome will be July 31, when they will gather to celebrate the Eucharist in the Basilica of San Crisogono, presided over by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul and Titular Cardinal of San Crisogono. The young people will carry their North Korean brothers and sisters in their hearts, praying that "Providence will open unexpected doors" so they can participate in WYD in Seoul in 2027.

The 'Voluntary Rosary Prayer Movement' in the Diocese of Suwon has begun meetings every Wednesday evening to pray for the Jubilee and World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027. Young people, the elderly, and children are gathering to fervently pray the rosary each week for the young pilgrims until 2027.