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Herald Malaysia
21-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
South Korean Catholic convert finds strength in Legion of Mary
Even at 94, Helena Heo Yung-ja continues her life of witness and prayer with a smile May 21, 2025 Heo Yong-ja, the 94-year-old head of the Legion of the Central Episcopal Parish of Jeonju Diocese. (Photo: SEOUL: For 94-year-old Helena Heo Yung-ja, her time at the Legion of Mary has been an inseparable part of her daily life and a testament to her faith. 'I always say, 'now is heaven,' because I live with God, Jesus, and Mary in my heart,' says Heo, who converted to Catholicism in 1957 at the age of 26. 'When I think about that, it makes me humble and careful, and I try to live a life that is pleasing to them,' adds Heo. But her association with the Legion of Mary is as old as her faith. She has been a member of the Legion of Mary Hope of Sinners Presidium for 68 years. A regular at presidium meetings A regular face at presidium meetings, Heo has only missed a few of them following a hospitalization due to leg surgery. Heo says she would hurry home after visiting her children, who were staying in other parts of South Korea, to ensure she did not miss the Legion meetings. 'We are the Legionaries of Mary, so how can we miss the [Legion] meetings?' Heo says when asked about the enthusiasm and dedication she exhibits for the Legion. As a result of her consistent dedication, Bishop Sun Tae Kim of Jeonju awarded Heo a certificate of appreciation as part of the 70th anniversary celebration of the introduction of the Legion of Mary in the diocese on May 17. However, her dedication was also acknowledged by her appointment as the presidium director at the Cathedral Church, a position that Heo says she initially declined. 'At the age of 94, I was asked to preside over the Legion, and although I refused, I accepted when they asked me to preside at the beginning of the meeting,' says Heo. The presidium in Jeonju started in 1955, about two years after Columban Father Harold Henry introduced the Legion of Mary to South Korea at Kwangju's Kyong-dong and Sanjong-dong parishes in 1953. Frank Duff, a layperson and civil servant, founded the Legion of Mary in Dublin, Ireland, in 1921. The Marian movement, an international association of lay members of the Catholic Church, now has more than 10 million members across 170 countries. The Legion aims to glorify God through the holiness of its members, through prayer and active cooperation in the Church's work. Daily Mass and Rosary recitations For Heo, another activity that bolstered her faith life was attending daily Mass at the church. She says that she used to attend Holy Mass daily since her baptism, but had to discontinue a few months back due to health concerns. A regular at the church, Heo even has a seat that is reserved for her. Heo says she loves to recite the Rosary as a small contribution to Mother Mary, whom she believes prays tirelessly for the world and remembers each individual. She says she does not have a favorite Rosary, pointing out that 'they are all the same, a tool to pray to the Holy Mother.' She claims that she used to recite up to 100 decades, equivalent to twenty cycles of the complete Rosary, in a day. However, due to her advancing age, she has reduced the numbers to 70 decades a day. More than 60 converts to Catholicism For Heo, her faith and steadfastness also led more than 60 people to the Catholic faith, for which she received the Legion of Mary Award for Mission Excellence in 2014. But Heo recalls that bringing her husband to the Catholic faith was the most challenging ordeal she faced. 'I had a hard time because of my husband, but I left it all to Mary,' says Heo. Heo recalls how her husband would come home from time to time and ask for a divorce, which was painful for her. She often prayed in tears in front of the statue of Our Lady in the cathedral, seeking divine help in mending the relationship with her husband. The Pieta, which depicts Mother Mary holding the body of Jesus, reminded her that the suffering she faced was nothing compared to Mary's, she says. 'Whenever he came home, I would treat him with all my heart, and he eventually relented and was baptized and confirmed at the age of 80,' says Heo. Heo says her husband's conversion happened with the help of her children, the parish priest, and nuns. She said she is happy that her husband received the Sacrament of the Sick before he died peacefully. At 94, Heo continues her life of witness and prayer, with a smile for
1News
26-04-2025
- General
- 1News
Kiwi family among last to pay respects to late Pope Francis
A trip to Rome to take part in Catholic commemorations over Easter for the Leung-Wai family has become a mission to pay tribute to their church leader Pope Francis. 'It is very important for all of us and I will definitely keep this as something for the rest of my life,' Fatima Leung-Wai told 1News. Leung-Wai and her siblings woke early to join the masses and pay their respects to the pontiff lying in state. 'It was really emotional and moving and sad at the same time but also really important and beautiful. Just to see him there…' Since then, the family has been preparing for the Pope's funeral, packing water bottles, food and warm clothes for their parents, who have also made the trip. Around 300,000 people are expected to be in Rome for the event. 'It wasn't planned for this. No, we came for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and Easter and Holy Week as well as gifting our parents the opportunity to come to Rome and Italy,' Leung-Wai said. 'My parents are from Samoa, they worked hard, they're faithful Catholics, part of the Legion of Mary and we wanted to take them, go as a family before we move on with our own lives.' Her sister Ann-Margaret is still processing the moment in history they've found themselves to be a part of. 'I'm just in shock, I'm still processing that I'm here in Rome… but then hearing the death of Pope Francis is just even another thing I wasn't expected but I'm grateful to be here,' she said. The sisters have met Pope Francis before, nine years ago at the Catholic World Youth Day in Poland. Fatima had lunch with the Pope. 'He has created a massive impact, reaching the marginalised, the poor, the people in prison , those in hospital so I was very much happy to meet him.' Ann-Margaret was meant to be part of a walk with the Pope, but he extended his time with the group of young people. 'We were only meant to walk with Pope Francis but he ended up changing the plan, shaking our hands, telling us to go on the popemobile, go for a ride.' 'He was just loving and he felt like my grandma... so much love." On attending the funeral, Ann-Margaret says it's another opportunity to represent the Catholic faithful in New Zealand. 'I do feel like (we're) representing Oceania and those that can't make it that aren't here. People always ask where we're from and we say New Zealand or Samoa.' The Leung-Wai family were in Rome to take part in Catholic commemorations over Easter. (Source: 1News) A small group of Catholic New Zealanders will be at the Pope's funeral, including some that live here in Rome in church roles. Cardinal John Dew will be in attendance before representing New Zealand in the conclave process to elect the next Pope. 'It's daunting to think we have the responsibility of electing someone to be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church but at the same time, it's a real privilege,' he said. Dew said while he's focused on the funeral, he's also preparing for the election process – the first he's taken part in. 'I have some people in mind who I think would be good. I mean, some I know better than others and some I've heard things that they've said but at the same time, I have an open mind to be listening.' He said New Zealanders are praying for him as he prepares for the task and he's received hundreds of supportive texts since news of the Pope's death. 'I do feel that I have incredible support from people.' Dew said seeing the reaction of people to the Pope's death in Rome has moved him. 'I just couldn't believe the number of people, thousands of people who were lining up to go into the basilica to see the Pope's body and I thought this is just saying something incredible about him and the way people held him in such esteem.' Dew said he's been reflecting on the impact of the Pope's service, comparing his act of duty to that of Queen Elizabeth's. 'It's something which obviously it took every moment of Pope Francis' life and he gave his every ounce of energy.'
