DPN 412 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, South, KOREA July 2017
“They should anticipate one another in honor (Rom. 12:10); and Vie in paying obedience one to another.”(RB 72).
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SISTERS IN HARMONY
Silver Jubilee!
The Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Religious Profession - Monday, July 31:
The 7 Sisters celebrated their 25 years of Religious Profession in the chapel of the Priory House. It was the closing day of 8 day annual retreat guided by Father Seongyeong Choi, SJ., therefore, the sisters from the retreat and the sisters from local houses together with the sisters of the priory house celebrated the Eucharistic Mass at 7 AM. Our rector Father Dionysius Park, OSB and Father Casiano Ham, OSB and Father Seongyeong Choi, SJ concelebrated the Mass. At the sermon Father Dionysius commented that 25 years ago he officiated the first profession of the jubilarians, therefore, he was deeply moved!
The jubilarians, Sr. Immaculata Lee, Sr. Basilia Hwang, Sr. Lina Kim, Sr. Aquinata Lee, Sr. Julietta Chang, Sr. Candida Kim, and Sr. Anna Yu renewed their vows and sang again the Sucipe me Domine that they sung with trembling voice at their first profession 25 years ago. They thanked to God for keeping and walking with them throughout the 25 years of journey in their religious life, as well as to the community for the supporting, understanding, and embracing them with great love!
The community and the jubilarians enjoyed a celebratory breakfast; and after breakfast at the refectory, the congratulatory and celebratory performance was held for the jubilarians as well as Sr. Bethania Lee, Sub-prioress who had her nameday! Postulants performed dance that they practiced under the moon during their volunteer service at the Yeonhwari Retreat House for the retreat of elementary school children. Each group of novitiate members and sisters presented fairly good and amusing songs and dances. At the end of the celebration Sr. Immaculata Lee and Sr. Julietta Chang expressed their impressions and thoughts.
May God Grant Each of Them Many More Spiritually Fruitful Years in His Service!
2 The Feast of St. Benedict - Tuesday, July 11:
“Grant that we may put nothing before our love of you, and may we walk eagerly in the path of your commandments.” -Prayer for the Celebration of St. Benedict on July 11-
The Feast of St. Benedict on July 11th is a meaningful day, for St. Benedict is the patron saint of the priory house. In silence on this day the sisters sought God and thought and contemplated again to learn and practice to serve God and human beings as they promised at their vows. During the sermon Father Dionysius pointed out that the Benedictine Way of Life has three aspects: First, the Benedictine Way of Life is “just being there”, and so their lives have no meaning at all, except as pointing to the fulfilment of the ages, that meeting with God. Second, the Benedictine Way of Life does not seek anything but only God. Third, in the Benedictine Way of Life the most basic thing is the Humbleness! -From the Lecture of Father Timothy Radcliffe, O.P.-
SEMINAR AND EVENT
The Sakura Sakuranbo Rhythm Gymnastics Seminar – Saturday-Sunday, July 1-2:
The Sakura Sakuranbo Rhythm Play Gymnastics Seminar was held under the sponsorship of the Kindergarten Committee in the Benedict Spirituality Center and the Haesung Kindergarten. The Sakura Sakuranbo Rhythm Play Gymnastics was founded by Saito Kimiko in Japan and her direct disciples Uyama Kikuko and Hayakawa Umiko, the principals of kindergartens were invited to the seminar to give lectures and teach the rhythm play gymnastics. The 74 participants from 8 kindergartens that belonged to the Kindergarten Committee attended the seminar. The lectures were translated by a Japanese living in Korea and other matters were translated by Sr. Veronica Lee.
Sakura Sakuranbo means the Cherry Bloom and it was founded to help the children that they alike the cherry bloom, may grow and bear healthy fruit through the rhythm play. At present in Japan, there are about 100 kindergartens that divided into 8 regions and have regional education exchange programs and holds seminar twice a year.
3 The rhythm play is the play with the music adjusting to the life rhythm and the motive is the children move as friendly animals running, rolling, stopping, crawling, dancing. The children with their body express the rain, wind, storm, etc. the natural phenomenon so that their bones, muscles, joints and nerves that they be accelerated to develop; and as they grow, they can be deploy realized the nature.
All the alive things in nature has rhythm; and when one observes children closely, one can see the hands, feet, head are moved rhythmically in accompanying with the rhythm of life and environment that accelerates the development. –By Sr. Jihye Maria Lee, OSB-
WELCOME GUESTS AS CHRIST
The Visit of Junior Sisters of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Busan – Wednesday, July 12:
The 5 junior sisters in preparation of their final vows and their 2 Directress of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Busan visited the junior sisters and the Directress Sr. Lumen Choi at the priory house during their summer vacation. After noon prayer Sr. Lumen invited them to have lunch. They met and had lunch together and had a grand time asking and answering their curious and various aspects of lives. All the juniors said that they had a joyous time together!
Abbot Notker Wolf, the Previous Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation- Wednesday, July 27:
Abbot Notker Wolf, the Previous Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation, Abbot Blasio Park, the Benedictine Waegwan Abbey and Father Benedict Sye visited the priory house. Abbot Notker served as Abbot of the Benedictine Congregation of Saint Ottilien Archabbey, St. Ottilien Germany for 23 years and he served as the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation, Rome, Italy for 16 years. After completing his term of office, he is visiting the Benedictine Monasteries in the world meeting the Benedictines that he met in the past and to say “Thank You” and “Goodbye”. During his world trip he set aside for 3 days to visit the South Korea and on the 26th he visited the priory house. Abbot Notker greeted the sisters with bright and happy smile and the sisters felt as one siblings. Especially he thought the North and South are one brothers and sisters and he was very much interested about the mission in North Korea.
4 After welcoming dinner, the novitiate members, junior sisters and young sisters performed a various welcome performances. In return Abbot Notker played the flute for 3 Bach musics. After seeing and listening his play the sisters admired and astonished to believe that he is 77 years old! Asking him to give some well wishing remarks and good words, he explained that “there are people who say the Bach music is difficult, however, in his music there is joy in it. Like that in our religious life there are difficulties, and yet, I wish you to realize how great happiness and joy it is to live in Christ.” At the end Abbot Notker played the Korean Folk Song “Arirang”, and through his play we felt his deep love for Korea! His visit was the time of blessing and grace and it was the occasion to evoke the sisters to live with joy and happiness. The sisters wished and prayed for God’s blessing needs to Abbot Notker who is going to return to St. Ottilien and will start his new journey.
Abbot Blasio told about his visit to the United States of America with President Jaein Moon to meet President Trump. On their arrival, they visited first the Marines of the Korean War at the National Museum of the Marine Corps; and th President Moon paid his respects to the Marine
Corps for helping to evacuate his parents from North Korea in 1950. Abbot Blasio brought up the story of Jangjinho and Heungnam evacuations of Korean War. The stories were already published in newspapers. (See Page 14-15)
Abbot Blasio brought up the story of Brother Marinus inspired the Waegwan Benedictine Abbey in Korea to provide help in restoring the St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, New Jersey. Last spring the Waegwan Benedictine Monastery newly touched the graveyard of Brother Marinus. In carrying forward the Beatification of Brother Marinus, the Waegwan Abbey is planning to build a memorial building for commemoration of his honor.
The First Mass Offered by Father Daniel Kim - Wednesday, July 24:
Father Daniel Kim, Maryknoll Society, was ordained in June 4, 2016 at Ossining Church, New York. He was assigned the mission to Taiwan and on the way to the mission, he was visiting his grandmother living in the Fatima Nursing Home. He offered the Mass in the Fatima Nursing Home and the Priory House.
COMING AND GOING
Sr. Hostia Park – July 3:
Sr. Hostia Park departed to the Philippines for English Language Program and EAPI (East Asian Pastoral Institute) program.
5 Sr. Marie Paul Kang and Sr. Monica Son – July 24:
Sr. Marie Paul and Sr. Monica departed to attend Mission Renewal Program “In the footsteps of our Pioneers: Reclaiming our Mission Zeal” in Tanzania, East Africa. The program was started in June 30 and they returned from the Dar Experience Program in July 24, 2017.
NOVITIATE AND VOCATION MINISTRY
Novice B Group Returned from Mission Experience – Tuesday, July 4:
Novices Catherina Choi and Vincentia Kim returned from their 3 weeks of mission experience in the Chungbuk Sarangsaem Rehabilitation Center, Cheongju City. They expressed that living with the residents helped them to learn the simplicity; and attending the Eucharistic Mass with them was a festival.
The “Benedictine Life” Retreat - Wednesday-Sunday, July 5-9:
The 7 young women joined to experience the “Benedictine Life” seeking God through prayer and work. They prayed with the community of the sisters and had they worked and had snacks between their works. They said they enjoyed the recreation time! Through their experience, they found small joys and happiness here and there. They returned home with hope to meet again in in the near future.
The “Benedict 1318” Retreat – Saturday-Sunday, July 15-16:
The 12 middle and high school students, ages from 13 to 18, joined to realize that they are blessed from God; and they shared their blessing with each other. The Postulants prepared a jolly recreation for the students; and the sisters’ blessings helped some of them to heal their wounds. May God be with them and help them to grow in deep faith and by trusting to God that they be guided to the right path in life.
The Joint Vacation of Novices – Monday-Wednesday, July 17-26:
The 7 novices and Sr. Zeno Sagong, Directress of Novices started their vacation having first a short visit to Seongju Station; and then they visited the cultural center, “Hangae maeul” the noble village. From there, they visited the Hansen Village and the church in Yongbong to see and learn about our Sr. Diomedes Meffert who treated and served the Hansen patients in her life time.
6 On the 18th they left to vacation house in Morundae, Busan with their heart fluttered in anticipation. At night they watched the water fountain show and some of the novices went into the fountain and returned all wet! Before returning to the priory house, they strolled through the water front road in the rain and enjoyed their vacation with their whole heart.
The “Ongdalsaem” Retreat (The Spring Pool on the Mountain Retreat) – 1st Retreat = July 22-23, 2nd Retreat = July 25-26, 3rd Retreat = July 28-29:
In July 21, Sr. Marie Sophia Lee and Sr. Debora Yu with 6 postulants went to assist the “Ongdalsaem” (elementary school students) retreat held in the Yeonhwari Retreat House for 260 children; and they returned in July 19. The 3 sessions of retreat with the theme “It Was Good” were guided by Sr. Jihae Seo. Since it was raining, most of the programs were proceeded in auditorium. The first day program was Post Play and the second day the children had the “LD with Gestures”. After learning LD the children practiced and then they made groups to play the Genesis Chapter One. Unlike worrying the children that they will do well, but the children did very well. The catechism teachers from parishes expressed their gratitude for they learned a lot and received various ideas that they can use them in parishes.
HEALTH MINISTRY
The Week of Life – Monday-Friday, July 10-14:
Centering around the Feast of St. Benedict the hospital set the days from July 10 to 14 as the “Week of Life” and carried out a various events.
7 1. ”Life” Exhibition:
Last May, the Month of Family the contest was held in the theme of “Love Family” and the prize winning works were exhibited during the month of July. Then, the embryo (fetal) life- size models were exhibited and through the video on the process of an “Until the Life Born” to inspire people the mystery of life and dignity. At the same time, on the “Life Tree” put a sticker written the words as Thank You, Wishing, Happiness, etc., then Eowon Media gives a gift book related to the life; and the World Share made campaign to impart the Hope of the Children of the World.
2. Seminar of the Collaboration Hospitals and Clinics and Health Consultation in the Ayang Bridge Subway Station - Tuesday, July 11:
In July 11, the Second Collaboration Hospitals and Clinics were invited and held seminar; and over 100 employees of the collaboration hospitals and clinics attended the seminar. After the lectures the attendants and employees of Daegu Fatima Hospital shared the information and they committed to save the life of patients through the speedy patient request and delivery.
In July 12, the Department of Nursing held the health consultation in the Ayang Bridge Subway Station. The nurses checked physical status and many people received a blood sugar test. At the same time the Department of Hospice and Palliative Care advocated that rather than seeking a life-prolonging care, but to respect the values of human dignity and to have quality end-of-life care to patients and families with love and faith.
3. “Life Concert”:
The high light of the “Week of Life” was the “Life Concert” on the 14th of July. It was the second “Life Concert” in which the hospital Sisters attended also after changing their daily schedule. In the first part Dr. Gitae Kwon, the Chairperson of the Mission Implementation Committee presented the lecture on the “Empathy”. He illustrated the empathy towards the beginning of lives of the Sisters who came to Korea and their lives after the concentration camp in North Korea; and he quoted in his lecture the expression of the love of Korea from the poem of Mother Gertrud Link.
8 In the second part of the “Life Concert” was the “Healing Concert” starting the guitar accompany by Jeongan Lee, the Director of the Medicine and singing “The One Who Gives Happiness” with Dr. Gitae Kwon and all the employees joined the singing and united together as one. At the end the video of “Korean-German Friendship” televised by Daehan News Media in November 1964 and it was shown the German Sisters who were caring the poor patients in Daegu Fatima Hospital. The video touched all the hearts of the attendants! The hospital tries to have the “Week of Life” in July every year and expand the Culture of Respect for Life.
The Exhibition of “Thank You Notes” Poster – Saturday-Wednesday, July 15-19: The Department of Nursing exhibited the “Thank You Note” poster on the walls of the corridor of employee dining hall. As a campaign of the “Culture of Respect” all the nurses wrote 3 “Thank You Notes” every day for last 5 months. According to the theme of “Thank You Notes” the 100 notes were selected from 22 nursing divisions; and the nursing department held an event to send the “Thank You Letter” to families, friends and acquaintances, etc. Nurses say that in the beginning it was hard to write “Thank You Notes”, however, as days go by it was easy to write and it had a propagation force.
The First Semester Total Review Retreat of the Fatima Bible School – July:
The first semester total review retreat of the Fatima Bible School was held for 3 sessions in the hospital auditorium. The retreat was guided by Sr. Gratia Lee and the total participants were 399 (freshman=145, sophomore =145, senior=94, volunteers=15).
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JPIC NOTES
The Celebration of the “Peace Wind” Eucharistic Mass – Monday, July 3:
The Korean Benedictines organized the celebration of the “Peace Wind” Eucharistic Mass in Soseongri and about 60 Benedictines from Daegu Priory, Waegwan Monastery, St. Joseph Monastery, Seoul Priory, Olivetan Sisters of Busan, Olivetan Monastery of Goseong; and 12 sisters attended the Mass from Daegu Priory.
The Seminar of the JPIC Committee – Thursday-Friday, July 13-14:
The 7 committee members of the JPIC had the 2-day seminar in the Bethania House. The purpose of seminar was to study and discuss the decision made on the “Life of Caring” at the 27th Daegu Priory Chapter and how to practice specifically in the real life. On the second day the members visited the Education Center of Changwon Fatima Hospital in Bugok and the ecology community of the Seton Sisters of Charity in Eunti Village to explore for planning to form the ecology community. The small house of the sisters was on the rather high top of a mountain; but it was sufficient and beautiful where the members met 2 farmer sisters and learned and shared a lot of helpful stories.
On the way back the members stopped at the Yeonpung sacred place prayed to the martyrs; and on the high way the members met a torrential rain, so they went into the resting area and waited until the rain subsided. Again the members drived on the high way and they were lucky to see a beautiful double rainbow! They said they offered the earth, our country and our community to God who is leading us to the road of hope and life one step by one!
The Talitha cumi Meeting – Thursday, July 20:
The Talitha cumi Meeting was held at 10 AM at the Office of the Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women in Korea on the 3rd floor of the Franciscan Education Hall. Father Dominico Jo, OP who is working for the North Korean defectors gave a lecture on the North Korean women defectors’ “Condition of Human Rights” (around the human traffic) to 15 participants of priests and sisters.
In total North Korean defectors about 70% are women and other than men the women are the object to the human traffic during their defection from North Korea. During that period they have to go through the forced abortion and they are treated as less than human being (dehumanization). And yet because of a child she gave birth, many women defectors are unable to die. Lately, the tens of thousands of North Korean refugee orphans became the important issues in the international society.
10 In present society there are many important urgent issues such as the important giant discourses on the North Korean Nuclear Crisis, Korea-China Economy Cooperation, Northeast Asian Problems, etc. Extending from the above important issues, the attendants shared a specific cases in order to urge a deep interest on the issues of the human rights and try to put into practices. As a part of effort, in September 21, Thursday from 11:00 AM to 15:00 PM the Talitha cumi is going to have campaign “Root out the Human Traffic and Improvement of Human Rights” in the front of the Franciscan Education Hall where the young and office and various workers come and go. –By Sr. Michele Kang, OSB-
The 11th Celebration of Caring for God’s Creation – Thursday-Saturday, July 27-29:
The 11th Celebration of Caring for God’s Creation was organized by the JPIC Committee and held in Chanbit Farm, Yangpyeonggun, Gyeonggi Province with the theme “Without Fossil Fuels with Friends of God”. The 35 activists of the environment preservation were participated the event and among them 6 sisters (Sr. Johann Kang, Sr. Beata Kwak, Sr. Angela Shin, Sr. Rachel Do, Sr. Filia Han and Sr. Marie Luca Kim) joined from Daegu Priory. On arrival each group started to make the rocket stove and was going to cook with burning woods, however, because of the rain the plan was to be changed and cooked in iron pot with the burning woods and ate together.
After dinner Rita Lee from the Eco-Value Education Center gave a lecture on ecology spirituality “Story of the Universe”. She pointed out that everything exist in the universe is connected to each other. And from the beginning to the present, the existing things in long history are connected to each other not competing but cooperating to each other. After the lecture the attendants felt that all the created things are different to each other, however, they are connected to each other. Therefore, the attendants kept in mind the words of Pope Francis: “Everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!” (A part of Pope Francis’s Inauguration Homily)
The 2nd day schedule was also changed because of the rain at night, therefore, the expectation was fallen. The original plans were to cook by solar power, experience a self-generator by using the bicycle, watching stars that cannot be seen easily in cities, etc., however, human beings couldn’t do anything, but adapt to changes of the natural environment. But, under the rain the attendants tried to set up the solar power facilities and satisfied with them. This trial made to realize that in ordinary life people can live in any place. It also taught that the ecology life is not a romantic life but it is to accept the difficulties in life and this kind of life is the life of choice. –By Sr. Rachel Do, OSB-
The 11th Practice – Use the Public Transportation:
● Subway carbon dioxide emissions: Middle and big bus = 1/1000, small car = 1/50 ● Green world by two wheels: Use bicycles ● Long distance trips: Use train, use airplane (use direct flights) ● Car sharing: Use together system
In the happy country of the world, the city of Copenhagen, Denmark: 33% use bicycle. When 1 million people use bicycle for 8km once a week instead of a car: Decrease 10 hundred thousand tons of carbon dioxide
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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR PIONEERS
The Reclaiming Our Missionary Zeal: The Easter Africa Ongoing Program is the first program that was seen in the subtitle "In the Footsteps of our Pioneers: Reclaiming our Missionary Zeal" to follow the mission life and the services of our pioneer sisters in Easter Africa.
Our pioneer murdered/martyred sisters in Africa are Sr. M. Martha Wansing, Sr. M. Felicitas Hiltner, Sr. M. Cordula Ebert, and Sr. M. Walburga Depolder. And the 20 sisters from each priory, 3 organizing members, and 1 translator, total of 24 sisters started the journey to follow the footsteps of our pioneer sisters started in June 30 and ended in July 21, 2017. Among them was Sr. Marie Paul Kang and Sr. Monica Son were from Daegu Priory.
We departed Inchon International Airport in June 29 and after long journey we arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa. Next morning 20 participants greeted each other and with 3 organizing sisters, Sr. Rosann Ocken, Superior of Jinja Community, Unganda, Sr. Terese Zemale, Prioress of Ndanda Priory, Sr. Ruth Bartonico, Prioress of Peramiho Priory, and Sr. Lioba Yang, the Translator, we started our journey to follow the footsteps of our pioneers. The first journey was to Pugu where we offered the prayer that was offered by our first pioneer sisters “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have with my whole heart” and we were touched by the prayer.
After arriving the St. Joseph Cathedral where the relics of the martyrs Bishop Casini, 2 brothers and 2 sisters were kept; and we offered the Eucharistic Mass. The Mass was offered in African style with African traditional musical instruments singing and dancing during the whole Mass. After Mass we visited the tombs of our sisters and brothers prayed for them and asked to pray for us, all our priories, and congregation, and the peace of each country and the whole world.
Next morning we woke up at 3 AM and departed to Tosamaganga, and we saw the poor living conditions of Tanzania. The water pitchers on women’s heads, children walking under the hot sun, looks clay houses topple down when the wind blow; and all they need helps.
The bus was running for 10 hours in endless woods and no haunts of human beings around and burning tire and finally it stopped. During 4 to 5 hours of car repair, we prayed rosaries and
12 evening prayer in the nature of African woods. Our pioneer sisters journeyed by donkeys for 4 weeks from Dar es Salaam to Peramiho. Our journey by bus and waiting for 5 hours and driving for 10 or more hours is nothing compare to the journey of our pioneer sisters.
Finally, we arrived in Peramiho late at night, but the waiting sisters sang the welcome song under the moon and our fatigue was gone and we were happy to meet each other. We stayed in Peramiho for 7 days during that period 2 sisters were called back to heaven and we attended the funeral services.
The next journey was to Ndanda and we arrived at Ndanda priory and visited the Niangao Station. During the Majimaji uprising the sisters escaped with bear feet in the overgrown strong weeds not to leave footsteps behind. We also walked the same road to feel the fear that our pioneer sisters went through and their prayer in the midst of life and death. At that time Sr. Walburga prayed “O loving Savior, I offer myself to you, please save others” then she was martyred and others were able to escape. The Words of Jesus were echoed to our hearts: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13). Following the footsteps of our Pioneer Sisters, we saw and experienced the sisters who are giving their lives to love and serve in hospital, education, welfare institutions, and various ministries in the East Africa.
We are very grateful to God and the community for sending us to this program. We used our body language to communicate, however, they didn’t hinder and/or restrict us to follow the footsteps of our pioneer sisters. Although we had to go through hardships, but the journey in Africa gave us precious and valuable experience. From this time on, we will keep in mind the precious time and places we journeyed and will live in “Thanking” to God always.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Sr. Rosann Ocken, Sr. Terese Zemale, Sr. Ruth Bartonico, and Sr. Lioba Yang for their effort to organize the program and helping us by translating to communicate! We wish and pray for the ardent desire for mission be continued to burn in our congregation and in the hearts every sisters! O Lord, give us the faith and grace to evangelize good news with love and everywhere as our pioneer sisters! Amen! -By Sr. Marie Paul Kang, OSB and Sr. Monica Son, OSB-
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THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF THE KOREAN WAR
Jangjinho Battle and Heungnam Evacuation Plan: “The 1st US Marine Division, which was advancing to north of Jangjinho and temporary North Korean capital Ganggye, evacuated to Heungnam for marine withdrawal as they were surrounded by the Chinese Communist Army. They were using rear offensive operations. Along the 40 km canyon region from Yudam-ri to Jinheung-ri, the US Marine Corps retreated, battling the Chinese Communist Army for 2 weeks. The contribution of the US Marine Corps delayed the Chinese Communist Army's advance to the Hamheung region. It also enabled South and UN troops that advanced to the east to successfully operate Heungnam evacuation. In a moment, you will watch a video on the evacuation.
In December 1950, in the midst of Chinese Communist Army's attack, South Korea and UN troops gathered at Heungnam and collectively withdrew under the charge of the 10th Division of US army. Numbering 105,000 soldiers and 17,000 vehicles, it was the largest marine withdrawal operation in world war history. Accompanying nearly 100,000 North Koreans who sought freedom from communism, the operation is also regarded as the most dramatic ethnic migration in any stage of the Korean War.” -Jangjinho Battle and Heungnam Evacuation Plan-
Christmas Miracle of the Korean War: The incredible story of Captain LaRue and SS Meredith Victory - Ship of Miracles:
“Did you know that a single ship designed to carry only 59 people ended up rescuing 14,000 North Korean refugees from Hungnam North Korea and by the end of their voyage to South Korea, added 5 more unexpected passengers?
As mentioned in an earlier post, over 92,000 North Korean refugees followed the Marines out of the Chosin Reservoir in Dec. 1950. Many North Koreans knew that if the US military was pulling out of North Korea, that it would be their last chance to flee Communist oppression in pursuit of freedom. This one ship the SS Meredith Victory, singlehandedly evacuated 14,000 of the total 92,000 North Korean refugees. Here's how it happened.” –Susan Kee: Honoring Korean War Veterans-
The following article is from The New York Times, dated Oct. 20, 2001 by Richard Goldstein:
Captain LaRue was the skipper of the 455-foot Meredith Victory, a Moore-McCormack Lines freighter that had been carrying supplies to American servicemen in Korea on behalf of the Navy.
In December 1950, the Meredith Victory was summoned to the North Korean port Heungnam, which was jammed with 105,000 American and South Korean marines and soldiers and more than 90,000 North Korean civilians retreating from a Chinese Communist onslaught at the Chosin Reservoir. About 200 American vessels had converged on Hungnam for evacuation while American ships and planes bombarded the perimeter to hold off Communist troops.
14 ''I trained my binoculars and saw a pitiable scene,'' Captain LaRue remembered. ''Refugees thronged the docks. With them was everything they could wheel, carry or drag. Beside them, like frightened chicks, were their children.''
On the night of Dec. 22, the Meredith Victory began taking aboard a stream of refugees who feared they would be killed by Communist troops, who regarded them as American sympathizers for having fled their homes.
''There were families with 8 and 10 children,'' Captain LaRue remembered. ''There was a man with a violin, a woman with a sewing machine, a young girl with triplets. There were 17 wounded, some stretcher cases, many who were aged, hundreds of babies. Finally, as the sun rode high the next morning, we had 14,000 human beings jammed aboard. It was impossible, and yet they were there.''
The refugees were crammed into the cargo holds of a freighter that held 47 crewmen and was designed to carry about a dozen passengers.
The Meredith Victory headed for the South Korean port Pusan, 28 hours away, traveling through heavily mined waters that were patrolled by enemy submarines.
The refugees had little food or water and there were no blankets or sanitary facilities. The crewmen gave their coats to the women and children, but the misery was unrelieved.
After a treacherous voyage though the Sea of Japan, the freighter arrived at Pusan on Christmas Eve, only to be turned away by South Korean officials, who were trying to cope with refugees already there. Captain LaRue was told to head for the island of Keoje Do, 50 miles to the southwest.
The Meredith Victory arrived at the island on Christmas. But the dock was small and crowded, so the freighter had to remain on the open sea for a third frigid night. The next day, two LST's -- Navy ships designed to land tanks onshore during combat -- were lashed to the freighter, and the refugees climbed onto them and finally made it to safety.
Not one refugee died in the evacuation; the number of Koreans aboard had, in fact, increased by 5 babies who were born during the voyage.
Captain LaRue, a Philadelphia native and a veteran of World War II merchant marine operations in the Atlantic, remained in command of the Meredith Victory until it was decommissioned in 1952. He received American and South Korean government citations for his rescue work, and the Meredith Victory was designated a Gallant Ship by Congress.
In 1954, Captain Larue left the sea to become a monk and join the Benedictines at St. Paul's Abbey, where he lived until his death in 2001. He left no immediate survivors.
''I was always somewhat religious,'' he reflected a decade after carrying out the Korean evacuation. ''All the things in my life helped to cement my determination to enter the monastery.''
But he looked back on the rescue as a turning point in his life. As he put it: ''I think often of that voyage. I think of how such a small vessel was able to hold so many persons and surmount endless perils without harm to a soul. The clear, unmistakable message comes to me that on that Christmastide, in the bleak and bitter waters off the shores of Korea, God's own hand was at the helm of my ship.''
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“…that in all things God may be glorified” (Phil. 4:11) Newsletter: [email protected] Homepage: www.benedictine.or.kr
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