Discovering the Tranquil Beauty of Wonmari Sanctuary
Today, I would like to introduce a very special and serene place where you can escape from your busy daily life and find complete rest and comfort.
This place is the 'Wonmari Sanctuary' located in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.
Although it is not a glamorous tourist destination, it is a precious Catholic cultural heritage filled with profound historical stories and warm peace amidst simple natural landscapes.
Just standing still here allows you to feel a gentle resonance and warm comfort rising from deep within your heart, making it a truly mystical place.
The reason Wonmari Sanctuary feels even more special is due to its unique geographical history established during the time of persecution.
While other sanctuaries had to temporarily bury their martyrs in remote mountain areas to evade the eyes of persecutors, Wonmari has a unique terrain where land becomes an island when the water rises.
This allowed the martyrs to be honored right in the center of the community of believers, and it naturally became a center of faith for the residents and a special sanctuary for earnest prayers.
Moreover, the original form of the martyrs' graves from the Joseon Dynasty has been preserved remarkably well, giving it significant academic and historical value, enough to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The flame of faith that blossomed around Wonmari has continued steadfastly through the painful history of modern times.
Even amidst the turmoil of war, where faith was seen as opium, individuals like Andrea Park Young-ok and Father John the Baptist Yoo Young-geun dedicated their lives to protect this faith.
Currently, the sanctuary honors a total of 22 martyrs, including 20 from the Joseon Dynasty and 2 modern martyrs, and they offer daily earnest prayers for their beatification and canonization.
Sitting quietly in the serene sanctuary chapel with your eyes closed, you can feel a steadfast peace transcending time enveloping your entire being.
Every Saturday at 11 a.m., a solemn mass is held to honor the noble spirits of the martyrs at the sanctuary chapel.
Those who wish to participate in the mass or hear in-depth explanations about the sanctuary can apply in advance for a more meaningful experience.
After completing the pilgrimage, when you press the carefully prepared commemorative stamp into your notebook, a mysterious sense of fulfillment and tranquility fills your heart, bringing a smile to your face.
Wonmari Sanctuary is home to two noble martyrs, Mark Park Seon-jin and Matthias Park Tae-jin, whose deep faith and heartbreaking stories resonate with us.
These two, who were cousins, beautifully upheld their faith while relying on each other during the dark persecution of 1868.
When Matthias momentarily wavered under severe torture, the young Marco, just 33 years old, stood by him, saying, "How can you betray God and seek eternal damnation?" This changed Matthias's heart, and they eventually walked the path of martyrdom together after 15 days.
With tears in his eyes, Matthias reassured his parents, saying, "Dying for God is the way to save our souls, so please do not worry too much," and his heartfelt farewell seems to resonate with us even today.
This weekend, how about taking a quiet step toward the beautiful Wonmari Sanctuary in Dangjin, filled with lush nature and deep historical emotion?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224351829701
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