Korean Apostolate’s Jubilee Mass expresses happiness of Christian life
On Sept. 13, almost 900 worshippers filled the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey, to celebrate the Jubilee for the Korean Apostolate.
The special Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the Prefect of Dicastery for the Clergy, who presided in the presence of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark. Cardinal Tobin invited the prefect, the first Korean to lead a department of the Roman Curia, as a gift to the Archdiocese’s Korean Community. Nearly 20 priests joined the two cardinals as concelebrants.
In his homily, Cardinal You shared personal greetings and blessings from Pope Leo XIV. He went on to explain that the Jubilee Year of Hope had been decreed precisely because there is much darkness in the world.
“Perhaps in living as immigrants far from home, or in the division and turmoil we see around the globe, we do not see the happiness and joy that is meant for us,” Cardinal You said. “We Christian pilgrims are a people called to live out the Word that came to us. As Christians living the Word of Christ, we will exude the beautiful scent of Christ in this world. A life of conviction that at the end of Calvary, there is the Resurrection; a conviction that brings us hope and happiness. This is why all Christians are meant to be happy – because Christ has paved the way to eternal joy for us.”
Cardinal You continued:
“In fact, as the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, my role is to foster happiness among priests – not a selfish, worldly happiness, but a happiness in light of the Gospels, in light of the Sacrifice we offer at the altar, a happiness that spreads to all the faithful.”
Gam-sa-hab-ni-da
In fact, a sense of joy was evident even in the preparations for the Mass. The joint choir and liturgical ministers, helped by the Cathedral staff and archdiocesan Worship Office, prepared a beautiful liturgy that brought tears to many. Their efforts were a sign of unity for the Korean Catholics in the Archdiocese. The bilingual Mass also reached out to future generations of Korean American Catholics.
During the celebration, Cardinals Tobin and You exchanged words of mutual respect and gratitude. Members of the Korean Catholic community were also thankful to Cardinal Tobin for the great gift of the Jubilee Mass and to Cardinal You for making the long journey to New Jersey to help make the celebration a truly jubilant event.
As it is said in Korean: Gam-sa-hab-ni-da! (Thank you!)
A true experience of hope
“In 70 years of my Catholic life, Jubilee years have never really meant anything to me personally,” one woman said after the Mass. “I am so happy that in what could be the last Jubilee year in my life, I finally experienced the true Jubilee with my whole being!” she exclaimed.
This week, Cardinal You will continue his visit by celebrating daily Masses at the five parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark that offer Sunday Masses in Korean. He will also lead a special Evening of Recollection for youth and young adults on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Church of the Korean Martyrs in Saddle Brook, NJ.
For more information, visit the Korean Apostolate’s webpage.
Father Jungsoo Kim is the coordinator of the Korean Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Featured image: Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik poses with altar servers during the Jubilee for the Korean Apostolate at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Sept. 13. (Photo by Korean Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark)
