Answering the Holy Father’s call for works of mercy, Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung and the auxiliary bishops of Seoul are celebrating Holy Thursday with those who are marginalized, socially excluded, and people with disabilities.
Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung is visiting Maumjary, a facility for single mothers which is operated directly by Caritas Seoul. He is celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with brave women who did not give up their child despite difficult situations.
On the same day, Bishop Basil Cho Kyu-man is presiding over the evening Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral, while Bishop Timothy Yu Gyeong-chon visits a nursing home, Bishop Peter Chung Soon-taek visits a vocational training center for disabled, and Bishop Benedict Son Hee-song visits a children’s shelter.
Nine pregnant women from the Maumjary will participate in the Rite of the Washing of the Feet, along with four newborn babies. The sisters and staffs working in the facility will also be included in the ceremony.
Since his elevation to cardinalate, Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung has visited special facilities on every Holy Thursdayand celebrated Mass with the community members. He visited the children’s learning center in Yeongdeungpo district in 2014, and visited the nursing home Duomjary in 2015.
The Holy Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral this year will be out of the ordinary as well. The 12 people who are invited to participate in the Feet Washing ceremony will include those who work unnoticed in the diocesan office (cleaning woman and parking lot staff), a patient, a parish volunteer with disabilities, a worker suffers from unemployment, and a foreign worker.
