Two signs have marked the celebrations of the Catholic community of the Korean capital in these opening days of the Jubilee. The new Seoul Ajit premises aim to reinforce an initiative that in five years has already welcomed more than 6,000 young people in difficulty. While the cross made of iron wires on the armored border with Pyongyang is for Archbishop Chung a “powerful testimony of our desire for peace.”
Seoul () – Two important signs have marked this year’s Christmas celebrations in the archdiocese of Seoul. Two gestures that – while the country is shaken by the very serious political-judicial crisis opened on December 3 by President Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law – invite us to look at two crucial issues for the future: young people and peace.
On Christmas Eve, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Lee – in charge of the journey towards WYD2027 – visited and celebrated Mass at the new Ajit premises in Seoul. As its name in Korean indicates, it is a refuge (literally “hideout” or “safe house”) for young people who feel the need to find shelter in the big metropolis. The initiative was promoted by the archdiocese in 2019 with the mission of ‘accompanying young people with the love of Jesus’. Located in the Suyu district of Seoul, it operates from Monday to Friday and is open to anyone between the ages of 9 and 24. In these five years, more than 6,000 young people have already passed through this place, benefiting from its listening and crisis intervention services, cultural enrichment, meals and educational opportunities.
But Seoul Ajit is not just a physical place: it also manages a mobile unit, a large bus equipped to travel through areas frequented by young people. On board are volunteers trained to connect with young people, expanding the reach and impact of the Suyu center.
During his Christmas homily, Bishop Lee drew a parallel with the Nativity: just as Jesus came into the world through a humble stable, invisible to many, to embody love and salvation, Seoul Ajit aspires to be a hidden sanctuary but vital thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit. A place “of warmth and rest, where young people can place their trust, rediscover their dreams and feel comfortable in an environment of love and security.”
The other sign for Seoul in these days’ celebrations was the Jubilee Cross of Hope that accompanied the opening of the Holy Year at Myeongdong Cathedral last Sunday. It was made with iron wires from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North Korea from South Korea. This cross,” said Archbishop Peter Chung in his homily, “represents a powerful testimony of our collective desire for peace in Korea. It calls us to look beyond our individual challenges and commit to healing and solidarity with those experiencing great hardship.” “True hope,” the prelate concluded, “carries with it the power to shape not only our hearts, but also our social fabric, inspiring us to live lives of service and love.”
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