Italian nun honored for 55 years of service in Korea

Italian nun Sister Elena Maria Dorotea D'Oto, second from left, receives the certificate of the Order of the Star of Italy, from Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla, third from left, at the Seoul office of the Daughters of St. Paul in Songjung-dong, Seoul, Jan. 26. / Courtesy of the Daughters of St. Paul

By Park Ji-won

Italian nun Sister Elena Maria Dorotea D'Oto, who has been living in Korea since 1966, was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy for her contributions to Korea-Italy relations over the past five decades.

The Daughters of St. Paul said Monday that Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla presented Sister Dorotea the Order on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Italian congregation's office in Songjung-dong, Seoul, Jan. 26. The order is given to those who promote Italy's prestige abroad or contribute to its friendly relations and cooperation with other countries.

It is known that Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Ambassador Failla recommended her for the award, which was accepted.

Born in Avellino, Italy, on Oct. 26, 1931, Sister Dorotea entered the Daughters of St. Paul in 1948. She made the first profession on March 19, 1951, and the perpetual profession on March 19, 1956. She was sent to Korea and arrived here on Oct. 23, 1966.

She served as manager of the Myeong-dong branch and chief of various groups. She also contributed to the founding of various Catholic communities, such as the Daughters of St. Paul and Sorores a Jesu Bono Pastore. She has been a devoted volunteer in various fields such as, visiting missions, conducting group missions, screening films, and diocese bookkeeping and management, said Kim Ae-ran, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Ambassador Failla was quoted as saying that Sister Dorothea devoted her life to delivering the messages of Catholic churches in Seoul, Daegu, and Gwangju, when Korea was very poor. She contributed greatly to the early formation of the community of the Daughters of St. Paul in Korea and set an example for missionaries in Seoul.

Italian missionary Sister Elena Maria Dorotea D'Oto Courtesy of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo)