South Korea's Prado celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation with fervour
The event, which took place over 2 days, marked 50 years of fidelity to the Gospel and to the poor. The mass celebrated at the Myeongdong Cathedral, à Seoulwas chaired by Msgr. Jung Soon-TaekArchbishop of Seoul, on Tuesday 27 May 2025in the wake of a pradosian day dedicated to memory and testimonials.
A time of communion
The jubilee celebration was attended by 5 bishopsof which the Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Seoul, a pradosian itself, over 100 priestsof Fr. Armando PasqualottoGeneral Manager of the Prado priests, as well as representatives of the Prado priests. Sisters of the Prado and theIFP (Prado Women's Institute) in Korea. More than 300 faithfulMany of them were lay people on the spiritual journey of the Institute.
Solemn procession, final blessing, songs, liturgy... every moment was marked by a spirit of intense communion, fraternity and gratitude. The group photo below shows the jubilee inscription: "Knowing Jesus Christ is everything!is a vibrant reminder of Father Chevrier's spiritual intuition.
In the beginning, Prado Korea was...
Prado South Korea was founded in 1975. It all began with the Cardinal KIM then Archbishop of Seoul. He felt that the Prado charism was necessary and that it could also take root within the clergy of Seoul, and so he wanted priests from his diocese to discover Prado. Two Korean seminarians were therefore sent to the Prado seminary in Limonest (France), to receive a formation inspired by Blessed Antoine Chevrier. On mission in Korea for 17 years, Olivier de Berranger (1938-2017), a Prado priest and Bishop of Saint-Denis-en-France from 1996 to 2009, laid the foundations for Prado Korea and contributed to its development.
The first pradosian in South Korea was Yong You LEE (Benedictus)ordained and temporarily engaged in 1975 (1945-1981).
He was followed by :
- Yo Bi KOO (Job),
- Su Ouk JU (Pedro),
- Hyun Bae KIM (Francis Xavier),
- Choon Bai SEO (Augustin) and
- Woll Ki CHUNG (Francesco).
Today it's Ji Hyun RYU (Mathieu)Prado priest of the Diocese of Daegu, who is responsible for Prado in South Korea.
Over the last 50 years...
The support provided by Prado General has helped the spirituality and values of the Institute to spread and take root in several dioceses. Thanks to the presence of committed Prado priests as educators or seminary professors, the charism has been passed on from the earliest stages of formation. Once ordained, a large number of young diocesan priests chose the Prado charism.
It is worth highlighting the constant participation of South Korean pradosians in the International Pradosian Year (I.P.Y.) which takes place every two years in Limonest (France). The French language brings our country closer to the Prado General and to Europe, enabling us to forge fraternal links and communion with pradosians from all over the world.
This accompaniment has evolved since Prado South Korea was erected in 2015 by Prado General. Every 4 years, Prado South Korea celebrates its Assembly and since its creation, three leaders have succeeded one another.
The commitment of the Sisters of Prado
Prado in Korea is not limited to priests. The mission of the sisters began in 1975 with the arrival in Korea of Marie-Thérèse Anselme and Monique Doitrandfollowed by 1978 by Marie-Jo Barrierwho will be present at the 50th anniversary celebrations.th anniversary. Their presence enabled the feminine dimension of the Pradosian vocation to take root in Korea.
The Laity of Prado
Lay people of Prado in Korea began to meet and organise themselves on the initiative of Olivier de Berranger. There are now around 150 members committed in the country, living witnesses of a Church in dialogue with the poorest.
The Prado Women's Institute in Korea
L'IFP started in Korea in 1998 with two young women, although neither of them went on to make a permanent commitment. At 2006two more joined the course, and then two more in 2022showing that the vocation is still alive and inspiring for young Korean women.
A missionary Church: "Fidei donum" priests
A missionary characteristic of Prado priests in Korea is the willingness of some of them to devote years of their ministry abroad to a pastoral mission as "Fidei donum". It's an experience that challenges mentalities and cultural references acquired in childhood, opening up fathers to other cultures and sensibilities.
Many Korean priests have left as Fidei donum in several countries: Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, United States, Kenya, India, Cambodia, Japan, Mongolia, Italy.
A striking example is that of Father Stéphane KIMa missionary in Mongolia, whose sudden death deeply affected the community. Following in his footsteps, a young man has embarked on the same path: he has been trained in the Daejeon seminarordained priest in 2021 in his diocese in Mongolia. He is now following a pradosian formation for temporary employment.
Witnesses on the road...
The Proudosian Family is now well established in the country. It is always attentive to the Word of God and embodies the legacy of the spirituality of Blessed Antoine Chevrier to perfection.
Prado in Korea, driven by its mission to proclaim the Gospel to the poorest of the poor, in a Church that is humble, close and servant, is now preparing to write the next chapter of its history, both within its own borders and beyond.
