The Shalom House where there was an Annual Retreat of Korean AFI in 2023.

The Shalom House, situated in Jeon-Ju city, approximately 200 km away from the capital city Seoul, South Korea, serves as a center for retreat, recollection, prayers, cultural activities, and artistic programs. The chief chaplain, Fr. Kim Young Soo, elucidated that this house was designed with a multifaceted purpose, drawing from the church’s historical tradition and extending its services to people irrespective of their religious affiliations or denominations. It warmly welcomes anyone seeking moments of solace through prayer and contemplation. Notably, the sprawling pathways along the streams have become a hallmark of the house. Interestingly, the location of the house holds historical significance as the place where the first martyrs were executed due to persecution against the Catholic Church during the monarchy’s reign. Notable figures such as Blessed Augustine Yoo Hang-geom were martyred here, and the site is adjacent to the present Jeondong Catholic Church.

Between August 12 and 16, 2023, members of AFI from Korea convened for a kite retreat at the newly constructed Peace Hall within the compound. This retreat marked the first reunion of Korean AFI members in two decades since their division into three units. With the participation of 33 regional members from Korea, Fr. Kim Young-soo conducted two daily lectures on the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Central to his discourse was the call to awaken spiritual senses, which forms the bedrock of essential spiritual awareness required to live as an AFI. The lectures underscored that reading and meditating on the Epistles of the Apostle Paul purify the heart, illuminate the path to live in the likeness of Christ, and manifest unity with God through one’s actions.

The retreatants engaged in self-reflection from a fresh perspective while practicing meditation techniques that honed their spiritual senses, grounded in the traditional practices of purification, illumination, and unity.

During the concluding Mass of the retreat, Father Kim Young-soo recounted the challenges encountered while constructing the building, particularly amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. His narrative, however, held a heartening revelation. Notably, his accounts and anecdotes regarding the Jeonju Catholic Center, a space historically animated by early Korean AFIs in Jeonju, resonated deeply with the attendees.

A chapel dedicated to the retreatants is located on the house’s third floor, adorned with a relief sculpture of ‘The Last Supper’ at its entrance. These artistic pieces, alongside a statue of the Virgin Mary perched at the corner of the building’s entrance, were relocated from the old Jeon Catholic Center. This relocation is symbolic, as the old center was a hub of devotion for numerous AFIs.

The method of transporting these significant art sculptures is noteworthy. Father Kim had a dream during the construction phase, wherein he heard a voice saying ‘take me there.’ Upon awakening, he decided to move the statue of the Blessed Mother. This statue had long held a special place for believers visiting the Catholic center, which was the locus of activity for certain AFIs. The previous Catholic center, rich in history within the Diocese of Jeonju, has been closed and awaits eventual demolition.

A poignant moment arose when the sizable statue was enshrined in the newly erected house. Following this, Father Kim received another ‘Take me as well’ message, which he interpreted as a sign to relocate the old masterpiece of ‘The Last Supper.’ Subsequently, he brought the stone relief sculpture that once adorned the restaurant’s wall.

These narratives surrounding the two divine artworks, central symbols of the Jeonju Catholic Center, profoundly moved AFIs who had worked there but had since moved on.

For those AFI members who had been associated with or utilized the Jeonju Catholic Center, names such as Martha, Bertha, Winda, Agatha, and Theresa held a special place in connection with the newly built Shalom House. Fond recollections of German member Anita evoked a wave of nostalgia.ica-

Consequently, the retreat location assumed a newfound significance, carrying a deep and personal resonance for all involved.