Pope Francis visited Kkotdongnae, a welfare facility in Eumseong County, Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province), on August 16 and stressed the importance of a communal life, saying that, "Misunderstandings will arise and they must be faced." The pontiff also warned about the dangers of an earthly life, saying that, "poverty is both a wall and a mother."

After celebrating Mass and the beatification of Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 other martyrs at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul yesterday, the pontiff flew in a helicopter to Kkotdongnae and met some of the disabled residents there. Later, in a meeting with some other Korean religious communities, the pontiff explained in his sermon about the importance of community and leading a humble life



"To be for others is a tangible sign of the presence of God’s Kingdom, a foretaste of the eternal joys of heaven," the pope said. "This joy is a gift which is nourished by a life of prayer, meditation on the word of God, the celebration of the sacraments and life as part of a community."

"You are challenged to become experts in divine mercy precisely through your life in your community," said the pontiff. "From experience, I know that community life is not always easy, but it is a providential training ground for the heart."

"It is unrealistic not to expect conflict," he said. "Misunderstandings will arise and they must be faced. Despite such difficulties, it is in the community that we are called to grow in mercy, forbearance and perfect charity."

Pope Francis has a tradition of being benevolent toward disabled children. In an address to leaders of the apostolate, he was firm in saying that, "The hypocrisy of those consecrated men and women who profess vows of poverty, yet live like the rich, wounds the souls of the faithful and harms the Church."

The pope stressed that chastity, poverty and obedience are the three virtues of ascetic practice and called for a spiritual awakening.




"This fundamental need of ours to be forgiven and healed is itself a form of poverty of which we must never lose sight, no matter how many advances we make in virtue," he continued.

"It should also find concrete expression in your lifestyle, both as an individual and as a community."

"In particular, I think we need to avoid all those things which can distract you and cause bewilderment and scandal to others," the pontiff said, adding that poverty in the consecrated life is both a wall and a mother because it helps you to grow and guides you along the right path.

The pope stressed the importance of a life with and surrounded by people in the world. "Do not keep it to yourselves. Share it, bringing Christ to every corner of this beloved country," he said.

The pope also visited a memorial dedicated to fetuses that were never able to see the world because of abortion and prayed for their souls.




"The Cheongju diocese will revere the Holy Father's words and try to better assist the poor and marginalized," said Father Gabriel Chang Bong-hun of the Cheongju Diocese.

By Wi Tack-hwan, Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr

*All photos courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism