The hill of grace

20.07.2009

The island of Jeju, situated about 60 miles off the south-west coast of Korea has a population of 550,000 people. At the end of the Korean war (1950-1953), during which nearly three million people were killed, there were just two small parishes on Jeju.

In 1954 I was sent to open a third parish. This was to be situated in Hallim on the western side of the island. On arrival I learned that 95% of the population were farmers and there was extreme poverty everywhere.

To assist local farmers out of their poverty, I set up the St Isidore Training Farm and a number of farm-related projects such as a feed mill and milk processing factory. The farm is situated in a central location on the island and is easily accessible to all of the 24 parishes. I have set up the Hill of Grace Shrine which is open all year round to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Among other things this shrine has a large church, shaped like a Celtic cross. The ground floor accommodates 2,000 people during the six cold months of the year and 4,000 during the six warm months. The shrine also has full-sized bronze sculptures depicting the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. There is also a large Lourdes grotto as well as a lake with a Rosary walk.

The Columban Fathers continued to send more priests over the years resulting in a remarkable growth of the Church. We now have 24 parishes and the island is a diocese with its own Korean bishop, 36 Korean priests and 60,000 Catholics.

Fr P J McGlinchey has been a missionary in Korea since 1952.