By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Archdiocese of Seoul has designated Feb. 16 to March 28 as the official memorial period to mark the first anniversary of the death of Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan.
Father Ahn Byeong-cheol of the Archdiocese of Seoul announced plans for the period during a press conference at Myeongdong Cathedral, Friday.
``I hope this will enable people to remember the love the late cardinal offered to us, and also his life where he loved the people and carried out sharing until his last breath,'' Ahn said.
Mentioning his experience of meeting Kim, Ahn added that the late cardinal was a caring person, sending post cards and letters to all of the priests in the Archdiocese of Seoul and helping out through personal deeds as well.
A memorial mass will be held in Myeongdong Cathedral at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 celebrated by Cardinal Nicholas Chung Jin-suk. The cardinal will give a sermon, while the church will also present a video showing the late cardinal when he was alive. All of the churches in the Archdiocese of Seoul will dedicate a memorial mass on the same day for Kim.
On Feb. 21 at 11 a.m., Bishop Yeom Su-jeong and several priests will hold a memorial mass at the Catholic Priests' Cemetery in Yongin. More than 300,000 visitors paid their respects at Kim's grave during the past year, according to the cemetery.
Various cultural events will also take place during the memorial period. The Pyunghwa Gallery near the cathedral is holding a photo exhibition of more than 120 photos of the late cardinal. Admission is free and it will continue through Feb. 28, everyday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seoul Arts Center is also preparing a special memorial concert on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. All seats will be offered by invitations.
The Jeoldusan Martyrs' Museum at Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is also preparing a special exhibition. Visit the museum and take a glimpse of Kim's personal items he left after his death. Visitors can find more than 140 articles, including Kim's notes, French textbooks he used to learn French, his ecclesiastical ring and also his Vatican passport. The museum is located in Mapo-gu, northern Seoul and the exhibition will continue through May 23. Open every day except Mondays.
``The memorial events will be held not only to cherish the memory of the late cardinal, but also to share the love he left behind,'' Father Heo Young-yeob said.
Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan was the first South Korean to become a Roman Catholic cardinal. He passed away Feb. 16, 2009 at the age of 86.