As you may know by now, Jung Il-woo is a devout Catholic. Jung Il-woo was given the Christian name Antonio, or Anthony in English during his Confirmation.
I will place here in this page anything related to Jung Il woo as a Catholic.
Update:
November 20, 2019
What a happy news! Jung Il woo, was appointed as a new ambassador for the Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Association. The ceremony was held at 10:30 am on November 14 at 301, Diocese of Myeong-dong, Seoul.
This is from an article that came out in The Catholic Times:
Actor Jung Il-woo (Antonio), who has practiced his love for his neglected neighbors, has been appointed as a new ambassador for the Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Association. The ceremony was held at 10:30 am on November 14 at 301, Diocese of Myeong-dong, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by Bishop Yu Kyung-chon, deputy head of the Diocesan Head of the Social Diocese of Seoul, Father Hwang Kyung-won, President of the Welfare Association, Father Kim Sung-hoon, and Vice Chairman Kim Won-ho.
Jung Il-woo said, “I will share the love I have received with many people,” and said, “I want to be a good influencer.” He joined the Welfare Society for the first time in 2016 as an alternative service to the aged care facility under the Welfare Society. Since then, it has continued to practice sharing even after the completion of alternative service.
As a devout Catholic, he said, “When you have a difficult time, you go to the quiet church at night and pray,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to rely on hard times and to have a place to go when you’re lonely,” he said.
Bishop Yoo Kyung-chon said, “The appointment of this ambassador will be an opportunity for young believers to be interested in the activities of the welfare conference.”
This is a video of this moment…
Update November 18, 2019
Jung Il woo is about to start in his new play as Michael, a mental patient with a stuffed toy elephant: Anthony. Many may think it is a coincidence, but as a person of faith, I believe that there in nothing left to chance in GOD’s creations… all has a reason and place of why it exists. Sometimes is hard to understand the connections… but our vision is so limited compared to GOD’s!
I’m sure Jung Il woo liked the fact that the elephant was named Anthony when he read that script like his Saint.
September 17, 2019
As you may have heard, Jung ll-woo is Catholic. He likes to walk “El Camino” a pilgrimage route that leads to the remains of Santiago de Compostela, one of Jesus’ Apostles. (Known in English as James the Great)
I decided to find out a bit more about the person Ilwoo was named after as a Christian: Saint Anthony of Padua. These are other images of him:
I found so many interesting facts about him. But I’ll let you discover St. Anthony for yourself if you already have not! This is an except from St. Anthony.org:
St. Anthony of Padua is one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints. Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen articles, was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus—or a lily—or a book—or all three—in his arms. Many people give alms to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony.
St. Anthony of Padua’s life is what every Christian’s life is meant to be; a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, the call to love and forgive, to be concerned for the needs of others, to deal with crisis great and small, and to have our feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God.
St Anthony is beloved throughout the world and is responsive to all people and all needs. His intercessory powers before our God are awesome.
Legends about Anthony abound. But let’s turn to the known facts about him. Anthony was born in 1195 (13 years after St. Francis) in Lisbon, Portugal and given the name of Fernando at Baptism. His parents, Martin and Mary Bulhom, apparently belonged to one of the prominent families of the city.
At the age of 15 he entered the religious order of St. Augustine. Monastery life was hardly peaceful for young Fernando, nor conducive to prayer and study, as his old friends came to visit frequently and engaged in vehement political discussions.
After two years he was sent to Coimbra. There he began nine years of intense study, learning the Augustinian theology that he would later combine with the Franciscan vision. Fernando was probably ordained a priest during this time.
The life of the young priest took a crucial turn when the bodies of the first five Franciscan martyrs were returned from Morocco. They had preached in the mosque in Seville, almost being martyred at the outset, but the sultan allowed them to pass on to Morocco, where, after continuing to preach Christ despite repeated warnings, they were tortured and beheaded. Now, in the presence of the queen and a huge crowd, their remains were carried in solemn procession to Fernando’s monastery.
He was overjoyed and inspired to a momentous decision. He went to the little friary in Coimbra and said, “Brother, I would gladly put on the habit of your Order if you would promise to send me as soon as possible to the land of the Saracens, that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs.” After some challenges from the prior of the Augustinians, he was allowed to leave that priory and receive the Franciscan habit, taking the name Anthony.
True to their promise, the Franciscans allowed Anthony to go to Morocco, to be a witness for Christ, and a martyr as well. But, as often happens, the gift he wanted to give was not the gift that was to be asked of him. He became seriously ill, and after several months realized he had to go home.
He never arrived. His ship ran into storms and high winds and was blown east across the Mediterranean. Months later he arrived on the east coast of Sicily. The friars at nearby Messina, though they didn’t know him, welcomed him and began nursing him back to health. Still ailing, he wanted to attend the great Pentecost Chapter of Mats (so called because the 3,000 friars could not be housed and slept on mats). Francis was there, also sick. History does not reveal any meeting between Francis and Anthony.
Since the young man was from “out of town,” he received no assignment at the meeting, so he asked to go with a provincial superior from northern Italy. “Instruct me in the Franciscan life,” he asked, not mentioning his prior theological training. Now, like Francis, he had his first choice—a life of seclusion and contemplation in a hermitage near Montepaolo.
Perhaps we would never have heard of Anthony if he hadn’t gone to an ordination of Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222. As they gathered for a meal afterward, the provincial suggested that one of the friars give a short sermon. Quite typically, everybody ducked. So Anthony was asked to give “just something simple,” since he presumably had no education.
Anthony too demurred, but finally began to speak in a simple, artless way. The fire within him became evident. His knowledge was unmistakable, but his holiness was what really impressed everyone there.
Now he was exposed. His quiet life of prayer and penance at the hermitage was exchanged for that of a public preacher. Francis heard of Anthony’s previously hidden gifts, and Anthony was assigned to preach in northern Italy. The problem with many preachers in Anthony’s day was that their life-style contrasted sharply with that of the poor people to whom they preached. In our experience, it could be compared to an evangelist arriving in a slum driving a Mercedes, delivering a homily from his car and speeding off to a vacation resort. Anthony saw that words were obviously not enough. He had to show gospel poverty. People wanted more than self-disciplined, even penitent priests. They wanted genuineness of gospel living. And in Anthony they found it. They were moved by who he was, more than what he said.
Despite his efforts, not everyone listened. Legend has it that one day, faced with deaf ears; Anthony went to the river and preached to the fishes. That, reads the traditional tale, got everyone’s attention.
Anthony traveled tirelessly in both northern Italy and southern France—perhaps 400 trips—choosing to enter the cities where the heretics were strongest. Yet the sermons he has left behind rarely show him taking direct issue with the heretics. As the historian Clasen interprets it, Anthony preferred to present the grandeur of Christianity in positive ways. It was no good to prove people wrong: Anthony wanted to win them to the right, the healthiness of real sorrow and conversion, the wonder of reconciliation with a loving Father.
Public Preacher, Franciscan Teacher
Anthony’s superior, St. Francis, was cautious about education such as his protégé possessed. He had seen too many theologians taking pride in their sophisticated knowledge. Still, if the friars had to hit the roads and preach to all sorts of people, they needed a firm grounding in Scripture and theology. So, when he heard the glowing report of Anthony’s debut at the ordinations, Francis wrote in 1224, “It pleases me that you should teach the friars sacred theology, provided that in such studies they do not destroy the spirit of holy prayer and devotedness, as contained in the Rule.”
Anthony first taught in a friary in Bologna, which became a famous school. The theology book of the time was the Bible. In one extant sermon by the saint, there are at least 183 passages from Scripture. While none of his theological conferences and discussions were written down, we do have two volumes of his sermons: Sunday Sermons and Feastday Sermons. His method included the use of allegory and symbolic explanation of Scripture.
Anthony continued to preach as he taught the friars and assumed more responsibility within the Order. In 1226 he was appointed provincial superior of northern Italy, but still found time for contemplative prayer in a small hermitage. Around Easter in 1228 (he was only 33 years old), while in Rome, he met Pope Gregory IX, who had been a faithful friend and adviser of St. Francis. Naturally, the famous preacher was invited to speak. He did it humbly, as always. The response was so great that people later said that it seemed the miracle of Pentecost was repeated.
Padua Enters the Picture
Padua, Italy is a short distance west of Venice. At the time of Anthony, it was one of the most important cities in the country, with an important university for the study of civil and canon law. Sometimes Anthony left Padua for greater solitude. He went to a place loved by Francis—LaVerna, where Francis received the wounds of Jesus. He also found a grotto near the friary where he could pray in solitude.
In poor health, and still provincial superior of northern Italy, he went to the General Chapter in Rome and asked to be relieved of his duties. But he was later recalled as part of a special commission to discuss certain matters of the Franciscan Rule with the pope.
Back in Padua, he preached his last and most famous Lenten sermons. The crowds were so great—sometimes 30,000—that the churches could not hold them, so he went into the piazzas or the open fields. People waited all night to hear him. He needed a bodyguard to protect him from the people armed with scissors who wanted to snip off a piece of his habit as a relic. After his morning Mass and sermon, he would hear confessions. This sometimes lasted all day—as did his fasting.
The great energy he had expended during the Lent of 1231 left him exhausted. He went to a little town near Padua, but seeing death coming close, he wanted to return to the city that he loved. The journey in a wagon weakened him so much, however, that he had to stop at Arcella. He had to bless Padua from a distance, as Francis had blessed Assisi.
At Arcella, he received the last sacraments, sang and prayed with the friars there. When one of them asked Anthony what he was staring at so intently, he answered, “I see my Lord!” He died in peace a short time after that. He was only 36 and had been a Franciscan but 10 years.
The following year, his friend, Pope Gregory IX, moved by the many miracles that occurred at Anthony’s tomb, declared him a saint. Anthony was a simple and humble friar who preached the Good News lovingly and with fearless courage. The youth whom his fellow friars thought was uneducated became one of the great preachers and theologians of his day. He was a man of great penance and apostolic zeal. But he was primarily a saint of the people.
An expanded version of the above appears in, Saint Anthony of Padua: The Story of His Life and Popular Devotions, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press by Franciscan Father Leonard Foley (1913-1994)
Miracles and Traditions of St Anthony
The reason for invoking St. Anthony’s help in finding lost or stolen things is traced back to an incident in his own life. As the story goes, Anthony had a book of psalms that was very important to him. Besides the value of any book before the invention of printing, the psalter had the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching students in his Franciscan Order.
A novice who had already grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community. Besides going AWOL he also took Anthony’s psalter! Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned to him. And after his prayer the thieving novice was moved to return the psalter to Anthony and to return to the Order, which accepted him back. Legend has embroidered this story a bit. It has the novice stopped in his flight by a horrible devil, brandishing an ax and threatening to trample him underfoot if he did not immediately return the book. Obviously a devil would hardly command anyone to do something good. But the core of the story would seem to be true. And the stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.
In any event, shortly after his death people began praying through Anthony to find or recover lost and stolen articles. And the Responsory of St. Anthony composed by his contemporary, Julian of Spires, O.F.M., proclaims
“The sea obeys and fetters break
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore
While treasures lost are found again
When young or old thine aid implore.”
St. Anthony Bread is a term used for offerings made in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony. Sometimes the alms are given for the education of priests. In some places parents also make a gift for the poor after placing a newborn child under the protection of St. Anthony. It is a practice in some churches to bless small loaves of bread on the feast of St. Anthony and give them to those who want them.
Different legends or stories account for the donation of what is called St. Anthony Bread. By at least one account it goes back to 1263, when it is said a child drowned near the Basilica of St. Anthony which was still being built. His mother promised that if the child was restored to her she would give for the poor an amount of corn equal to the child’s weight. Her prayer and promise were rewarded with the boy’s return to life.
Another reason for the practice is traced back to Louise Bouffier, a shopkeeper in Toulon, France. A locksmith was prepared to break open her shop door after no key would open it. Bouffier asked the locksmith to try his keys one more time after she prayed and promised to give bread to the poor in honor of St. Anthony if the door would open without force. The door then opened. After others received favors through the intercession of St. Anthony, they joined Louise Bouffier in founding the charity of St. Anthony Bread.
St Anthony and the Child Jesus
St. Anthony has been pictured by artists and sculptors in all kinds of ways. He is depicted with a book in his hands, with a lily or torch. He has been painted preaching to fish, holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament in front of a mule or preaching in the public square or from a nut tree.
But since the 17th century we most often find the saint shown with the child Jesus in his arm or even with the child standing on a book the saint holds. A story about St. Anthony related in the complete edition of Butler’s Lives of the Saints (edited, revised and supplemented by Herbert Anthony Thurston, S.J., and Donald Attwater) projects back into the past a visit of Anthony to the Lord of Chatenauneuf. Anthony was praying far into the night when suddenly the room was filled with light more brilliant than the sun. Jesus then appeared to St. Anthony under the form of a little child. Chatenauneuf, attracted by the brilliant light that filled his house, was drawn to witness the vision but promised to tell no one of it until after St. Anthony’s death.
Some may see a similarity and connection between this story and the story in the life of St. Francis when he reenacted at Greccio the story of Jesus, and the Christ Child became alive in his arms. There are other accounts of appearances of the child Jesus to Francis and some companions.
These stories link Anthony with Francis in a sense of wonder and awe concerning the mystery of Christ’s incarnation. They speak of a fascination with the humility and vulnerability of Christ who emptied himself to become one like us in all things except sin. For Anthony, like Francis, poverty was a way of imitating Jesus who was born in a stable and would have no place to lay his head.
In Portugal, Italy, France and Spain, St. Anthony is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. According to some biographers his statue is sometimes placed in a shrine on the ship’s mast. And the sailors sometimes scold him if he doesn’t respond quickly enough to their prayers.
Not only those who travel the seas but also other travelers and vacationers pray that they may be kept safe because of Anthony’s intercession. Several stories and legends may account for associating the saint with travelers and sailors.
First, there is the very real fact of Anthony’s own travels in preaching the gospel, particularly his journey and mission to preach the gospel in Morocco, a mission cut short by severe illness. But after his recovery and return to Europe, he was a man always on the go, heralding the Good News.
There is also a story of two Franciscan sisters who wished to make a pilgrimage to a shrine of our Lady but did not know the way. A young man is supposed to have volunteered to guide them. Upon their return from the pilgrimage one of the sisters announced that it was her patron saint, Anthony, who had guided them.
Still another story says that in 1647 Father Erastius Villani of Padua was returning by ship to Italy from Amsterdam. The ship with its crew and passengers was caught in a violent storm. All seemed doomed. Father Erastius encouraged everyone to pray to St. Anthony. Then he threw some pieces of cloth that had touched a relic of St. Anthony into the heaving seas. At once, the storm ended, the winds stopped and the sea became calm.
Teacher, Preacher, Doctor of the Scriptures
Among the Franciscans themselves and in the liturgy of his feast, St. Anthony is celebrated as a teacher and preacher extraordinaire. He was the first teacher in the Franciscan Order, given the special approval and blessing of St. Francis to instruct his brother Franciscans. His effectiveness as a preacher calling people back to the faith resulted in the title “Hammer of Heretics.” Just as important were his peacemaking and calls for justice.
In canonizing Anthony in 1232, Pope Gregory IX spoke of him as the “Ark of the Testament” and the “Repository of Holy Scripture.” That explains why St. Anthony is frequently pictured with a burning light or a book of the Scriptures in his hands. In 1946 Pope Pius XII officially declared Anthony a Doctor of the Universal Church. It is in Anthony’s love of the word of God and his prayerful efforts to understand and apply it to the situations of everyday life that the Church especially wants us to imitate St. Anthony. While noting in the prayer of his feast Anthony’s effectiveness as an intercessor, the Church wants us to learn from Anthony, the teacher, the meaning of true wisdom and what it means to become like Jesus, who humbled and emptied himself for our sakes and went about doing good.
This excerpt is from the book, Saint Anthony of Padua: The Story of His Life and Popular Devotions, which was published in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of St. Anthony Messenger by Franciscan Father Norman Perry (1929-1999)
WITAT
September 17, 2019
Among the many things Saint Anthony is a patron of is the elderly, and this is my assumption, but my guess that this is why Jung Il-woo chose to work in a Senior Center during his Civic Duty.
I also think that in his recent travel to Northern Italy, he visited Padua, and more specifically the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, where the body of the Saint rests. Another assumption! But the place he was hiking at “The Dolomites” is north of Padua. His relics: tongue and jaw are also there displayed for all to see. This was considered one of the miracles that made him a Saint, when they unburied him a year after they found that though his body was very decayed, his tongue and jaw was just like a live’s person’s! It had not decayed at all. People believe that it was because he was a great preacher. You can read more about it HERE. And THIS is the official website. (When I went to the Website I read that his relics visited Massachusetts August 22 – September 1st! Oh if I had read it a bit before!)
This is what the Basilica looks like:
This is what his relics look like:
I also made a discovery that was a very happy surprise for me. This Saint’s day is June 13th! And because of this there is a special Saint Anthony Chaplet or Rosary. And it actually has 13 sets of 3 beads after the Saint’s 13 Virtues! I was so moved by this… another beautiful connection between Jung Il-woo and me… this number… as you know I was born on a 13th, hence I call myself his Fan13! So I bought this Rosary and I’ve been learning to pray to it in Korean. When you pray in this rosary you are supposed to pray “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and “Glory Be” on the three beads, 13 times. As you read each group you are to reflect on the Saint’s 13 virtues.
This is my Rosary:
Below I include the way to pray on this rosary in case you are interested. I will include the Korean version, and at the bottom recordings that have it for practice. (I will include the pronunciation I got as I heard my Korean tutor as well.)
This comes from HERE. Cr. www. stanthony.org
Begin by making the Sign of The Cross…” On each set of three beads pray one “our Father” on the first bead, one “Hail Mary” on the second bead, and one “Glory Be” on the third bead.
The Lord’s prayer:
주님의 기도 The Lord’s Prayer
하늘에 계신 우리 아버지, Our Father who art in heaven
hanooreh gehshin oori ahbohchee
아버지의 이름이 거룩히 빛나시며, hallowed be thy name.
ahbohchee-ee eeroomee koruki binashimio
아버지의 나라가 오시며, Thy kingdom come
ahbohchee-ee naraga oushimio
아버지의 뜻이 하늘에서와 같이 Thy will be done on Earth
ahbohchee-doo-chee hahnoorehsowah kahchee
땅에서도 이루어지소서! as it is in heaven!
dangesodo eeroohchisosuh
오늘 저희에게 일용할 양식을 주시고 Give us this day our daily bread
unel shoeeehgueh irional iangshigel shushigo
저희에게 잘못한 이를 저희가 용서하오니 and forgive us our trespasses,
choee-ehgueh chalmotah irul choiga iongsohaoni
저희 죄를 용서하시고 as we forgive those who trespass against us,
choee choerel iongsohashigo
저희를 유혹에 빠지지 않게 하시고 and lead us not into temptation,
choeerel youhogueh pagigi anke hasigo
악에서 구하소서. but deliver us from evil.
Aguehso kuhasoso
아멘. Amen
ahmehn
This is a voice recording to learn it:
http://maria.catholic.or.kr/mi_pr/prayer/prayer.asp?menu=prayer&pgubun=3&ingId=2&sgubun=w
This is the video I used to learn it. You can slow it down!
Hail Mary:
성모송 Hail Mary
은총이 가득하신 마리아님, 기뻐하소서 Hail Mary, full of grace,
unchoni kadukashin marianim kipohasosuh
주님께서 함께 계시니 여인 중에 복되시며 The Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women,
chunimkeso hamgue kehshini ioin chun-eh bok dueshimio
태중의 아들 예수님 또한 복되시나이다. and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
tej(ch)oun-eh adul iesunim dohan bokdueshinaida
천주의 성모 마리아님, Holy Mary, mother of God,
chonj(ch)ueh sonmo marianim
이제와 저희 죽을 때에 저희 죄인을 위하여 빌어주소서.
pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.
ij(ch)ewa cho(h)i chugoul deh-eh cho(h)i choeh-eenil (sinner) weehayoh pirochusosuh
아멘. amen
This is a voice recording to learn it:
http://maria.catholic.or.kr/mi_pr/prayer/prayer.asp?menu=prayer&pgubun=3&ingId=4&sgubun=w
The Glory Be:
Glory Be 영광송
영광이 성부와 성자와 성령께 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
iong gwani sonbpu wa sonchawa sonñonkeh
처음과 같이 as it was in the beginning
choum gua katchi
이제와 항상 영원히. is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
ichehwa hangsang yongwuani
아멘. Amen
ahmehn
This is a voice recording to learn it:
http://maria.catholic.or.kr/mi_pr/prayer/prayer.asp?menu=prayer&pgubun=3&ingId=3&sgubun=w
During each of the thirteen sets of three beads meditate on the following themes:
1. St. Anthony, who raised the dead, pray for those Christians now in their agony, and for our dear departed.
2. St. Anthony, zealous preacher of the Gospel, fortify us against the errors of the enemies of God, and pray for the Holy Father and the Church.
3. St. Anthony, powerful with the Heart of Jesus, preserve us from the calamities which threaten us on account of our sins.
4. St. Anthony, who drove away devils, make us triumph over their snares.
5. St. Anthony, lily of heavenly purity, purify us from the stains of the soul and preserve our bodies from all dangers.
6. St. Anthony, healer of the sick, cure our diseases and preserve us in health.
7. St. Anthony, guide of travelers, bring to safe harbor those who are in danger of perishing and calm the troubled waves of passion which agitate our souls.
8. St. Anthony, liberator of captives, deliver us from the captivity of evil.
9. St. Anthony, who restores to young and old the use of their limbs, obtain for us the perfect use of the senses of our body and the faculties of our soul.
10. St. Anthony, finder of lost things, help us to find all that we have lost in the spiritual and temporal order.
11. St. Anthony, protected by Mary, avert the dangers which threaten our body and our soul.
12. St. Anthony, helper of the poor, help us in our needs and give bread and work to those who ask.
13. St. Anthony, we thankfully proclaim thy miraculous power, and we beseech thee to protect us all the days of our life. Amen
To complete this chaplet pray the Miraculous Repository by Saint Bonaventure
The Miraculous Repository
If miracles thou fain would see, Lo, error, death, calamity. The leprous stain, the demon flies, from beds of pain the sick arise. (The hungry seas forego their prey, The prisoner’s cruel chains give way; While palsied limbs and chattels lost Both young and old recovered boast.)
And perils perish, plenty’s hoard, Is heaped on hunger’s famished board; Let those relate who know it well, Let Padua on her patron tell. (The hungry seas forego their prey, the prisoner’s cruel chains give way; While palsied limbs and chattels lost Both young and old recovered boast.)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Sprit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world with out end. Amen.
(The hungry seas forego their prey, The prisoner’s cruel chains give way; While palsied limbs and chattels lost Both young and old recovered boast.)
V – Pray for us, blessed Anthony;
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, let the votive commendation of Blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and may deserve to possess eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Sign of the Cross:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Here in Boston there was a huge immigration from Italy, and in a neighborhood called The North End, they hold a Saint Anthony’s Feast every year. I will go next year and document it. This is the flier of this year’s celebration of the Saint on his birthday June 13th.
I also was also so blessed to find a Shrine dedicated to Saint Anthony very close to my work in downtown Boston. It is open everyday, so I have set the goal of going every week once a week to pray the rosary for Ilwoo in this Chapel. It is so beautiful! These are some photos:
They have so many programs! The only problem I find with the chapel is that there is no sitting, so my knees can’t take kneeling a whole rosary… this chapel is separate from the church… in its own space and it’s kind of weirdly situated in the big rest of a staircase. It has a kneeling pew only for like two people! Very small and intimate.
I have and will also place Ilwoo’s name on the list of prayers for his name to be mentioned when they do mass on Sundays. I stated “Health” as the reason because ultimately I think this is the most important for him.
More and more I have grown to believe that one should care for one’s soul as much as one cares for one’s body. It is in great part what guide’s one’s body along with one’s mind. It is so important.
May god bless you Ilwoo Ssi! I will pray for you all that I can… and may god bless you dear reader!
December 24, 2019
I visited the closest St. Anthony’s church to my home. It is only a 30 minute walk! I went to the Christmas Eve Mass… it was so beautiful… I prayed for Ilwoo’s health…
June 13, 2020
I walked to a Saint Anthony Church in Cambridge, Mass to celebrate Jung Il woo’s saint’s day. It is an hour away from my home.
When I got there a mass was getting just getting out. A kind lady gave me a church booklet. I sat nearby to pray and when I was in the middle of it, the bells started ringing for 6:00PM! It startled me but somehow it felt good! My heart filled with such joy! I thanked St. Anthony for taking care of our dear Antonio!
These are my photos:
Such a beautiful day!
June 20, 2021
I attended the Feast of Saint Anthony at the North End in Boston. There was a mass first and then they did a procession of the Saint through the streets. It was another beautiful sunny day. Here you can see the procession starting at the entrance of the St. Leonard’s Church:
I was able to get really close and tae this photo. I love it!
This is a video:
This was the moment they placed the bill I gave in Ilwoo’s prayer request.
There was a police band that accompanied the procession. It would stop whenever there was a red ribbon at the door or hanging down a window. Then after a few minutes a senior helped by their relatives would come bearing these dollar filled offerings. It was so beautiful to see their happiness and faith. Like this man who was honoring his deceased wife:
Loved that altar right in the street.
I left the procession and headed to the St. Leonard Church to take some photos of its beautiful garden without all the people…
This first set of statues honors the Miracle of Our Lady Fatima when she appeared to the 3 shepherd children starting May 13… for 6 consecutive months on every 13th! ^ ^ Her last appearance was on October 13th, it is the same day I celebrate knowing Jung Il woo. That’s around the same date when I saw him as Prince Yang for the first time. So this coming October it will be 5 years.
Here is Saint Anthony:
And this is the entrance of the Church with Jesus the redeemer:
Yes, I had the church all to myself at one point… it is so, so beautiful!
Archangel Michael:
Then as I was finishing my lunch, I saw Saint Anthony on his way back to the church.
Yes, the foood was absolutely delicious! I’m so thankful for this beautiful day!