A Korean Love Story - Abuja Version
July 21, 2012 - Saturday
Most of the Overseas Filipino Workers in Abuja attend the Saturday mass at The
Apostolic Nunciature. This particular
Saturday of July 21, 2012 at the usual time of 6:00 pm, the parishioners got a
pleasant surprise.
A wedding!
A lady dressed in her national dress emerged from the
sacristy.
Korean. Simple, beautiful
and demure.
The mass started officiated by the Papal Nuncio Msgr. Augustine assisted by Rev. Fr. Andrew.
As is true with OFWs, wherever they found themselves, they always do their temporal and spiritual duties.
OFWS Engelbert Llames and Sherwin Cayabyab were there in
their usual part as altar boys.
At the altar stood the groom only.
Rev. Fr. Andrew did not deliver his most anticipated homily.
Instead he told us a story of love and faith.
Proving once more that love is always a very patient process. Joon Soo Kim and Kyung Scholastica Lee of South Korean Embassy, had a
civil wedding 25 years ago. Joon was a confirmed atheist for 50 years, a
non-believer while Kyung is of Catholic faith. Five years ago, he learned and
found Christ. He sought Christ through baptism and wants the name Benedictus. Why Benedictus? Because St. Benedictus is the brother of St.
Scholastica. That is how precious one is with the other.
This particular Saturday we witnessed the dispensation of four sacraments:
baptism, confirmation, marriage vows and communion.
Fr. Andrew baptized Joon Soo Kim – Benedictus.
The Papal Nuncio administered the confirmation.
And as they exchange their marriage vows, the Ambassador of
South Korea HE Mr. Jong-hyun Choi and
Madam Min-kyeong Brigitte Lee stood as their witnesses and all the faithful who
attended the celebration of the mass.
Ness Herrera-Lim sweetly sang two beautiful songs for the
bride and groom.
The occasion was captured below:
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| Joon Soo Kim and Kyung Scholastica Lee of South Korean Embassy before the ceremonies |
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| The Papal Nuncio celebrates the mass; Rev. Fr. Andrew tells the faithful of the wonderful news of conversion; Ness Herrera-Lim reads the prayers of the faithful... |
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| Rev. Fr. Andrew flanked by OFWS Gel Llames and Sherwin Cayabyab |
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| Fr. Andrew officiating the baptismal vows assisted by Gel and Sherwin |
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| Baptism -...and now Benedictus... |
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| The Papal Nuncio officiating the Sacrament of Confirmation |
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| ...with his witness- the Ambassador of
South Korea HE Mr. Jong-hyun Choi... |
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| ...fully and truly embracing the Catholic faith |
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| ...the marriage vows - to love and to hold... |
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| ...with this ring I thee wed... |
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| Blessings...the marriage certificated awarded by the Papal Nuncio to the newly-weds... |
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| ...signing of the contract...by the groom... |
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| ...and the bride |
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| ...and the witnesses - Ambassador of
South Korea HE Mr. Jong-hyun Choi and
Madam Min-kyeong Brigitte Lee |
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| ...while the sweet voice of Ness Herrera-Lim floated - 'From this Moment' and 'You and I Will Be Here' |
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| ...and with Gel Llames and Sherwin Cayabyab by his sides, Fr. Andrew bade the faithful farewell - from Abuja Nigeria with Love to South Korea |
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| Newly-married Joon Soo Benedictus Kim and Kyung Scholastica Lee of South Korean Embassy with the Papal Nuncio and Rev. Fr. Andrew; and with their witnesses - the Ambassador of
South Korea HE Mr. Jong-hyun Choi and
Madam Min-kyeong Brigitte Lee |
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| ...and the wedding entourage: The Bride caught the bridal bouquet from Sr. MaryGrace (not the other way around): and this picture for posterity |
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