CPBC News | 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-gon… Commemorative Events Continue in His Hometown
CPBC reported that a week of commemorative events—including a Day of Peace for the Two Koreas, an international academic symposium, and humanities lectures—were held at Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin, Chungnam, the hometown of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-gon, to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. During the humanities lecture period, Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung gave a lecture titled "Catholicism Seen Through Religious Painting," including a performance of drawing a portrait of Father Kim Dae-gon.
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[Anchor] Tomorrow marks exactly the 200th anniversary of the birth of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-gon, Korea's first priest, on this land.
To commemorate this, a variety of events have been held since the 14th at Solmoe Shrine, the saint's hometown.
From the "Day of Peace for the Two Koreas Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Father Kim Dae-gon" event to an international academic symposium and humanities lectures, the events honored the saint's life and spirituality.
Reporter Kim Hyung-jun has compiled a report on the week of 200th anniversary commemorative events held at Solmoe.
[Reporter] Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin, Chungnam, the birthplace of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-gon, was abuzz with excitement commemorating the 200th anniversary of the saint's birth.
Even amid the COVID-19 situation, a variety of events honoring the saint's footsteps and spirituality continued in compliance with quarantine guidelines.
On the 16th, a "Day of Peace for the Two Koreas" event was held to commemorate Father Kim Dae-gon, who made a map of Joseon and loved the people of this land.
Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy, sent a video congratulatory message celebrating the Day of Peace for the Two Koreas.
<Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik / Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy>
"I sincerely hope and pray that the South and the North will open their hearts to each other and engage in dialogue as soon as possible, so that true peace may settle on the Korean Peninsula."
Unification Minister Lee In-young also expressed in his congratulatory remarks his hope for a papal visit to North Korea.
<Lee In-young / Minister of Unification>
"I hope that a papal visit to North Korea can be realized as soon as possible, planting a blessed seed of peace on North Korean soil and delivering a message of reconciliation and true life beyond the Korean Peninsula to the entire world."
Time to learn about Father Kim Dae-gon's life and spirituality also continued.
At the international academic symposium held over three days from the 17th, academic experts presented research findings related to Father Kim Dae-gon.
Held across seven sessions, the symposium featured the presentation of 24 papers, with constructive discussions and Q&A following each session.
The symposium covered not only historical research but also broadly addressed the meaning that Father Kim Dae-gon's life and martyrdom hold today.
<Father Yang Nak-gyu / Superior General, Congregation of the Sons of Martyrs>
"This international academic symposium is highly significant in that it attempted research ranging from the existing perspective of church history to studies examining how believers think and act. I pray that many people will emulate the example Father Kim Dae-gon showed us, becoming a seed to spread that love to one another."
Humanities lectures were also held during the symposium period.
Artists' performances also accompanied the humanities lectures.
Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung gave a lecture titled "Catholicism Seen Through Religious Painting," accompanied by a performance of drawing a portrait of Father Kim Dae-gon.
Calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa also drew attention by continuing her lecture while writing out the saint's sayings by hand.
The fervor of honoring Father Kim Dae-gon will reach its peak tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., the saint's birthday, with a commemorative Mass held at Solmoe.
Before the Mass, the rosary will be recited starting at 10:10 a.m.
The commemorative Mass for the 200th anniversary of Father Kim Dae-gon's birth will be broadcast live on CPBC (Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation) TV.
This is Kim Hyung-jun for CPBC.