A Reunion in Myeong-dong Cathedral

We met in beautiful Zhangjiagang City, where we both used to live. She is a Korean who did volunteer missionary work for the Catholic Church in China. We went to the same parish church at St. Joseph's on Sundays.

The last time I saw her was in December 8, 2008, my wedding anniversary day. We traveled ten miles to hear Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, located in the outskirts of the city.

I honestly did not think I would see Yustina again. But we have kept our friendship alive through email. Her friendship is one of the many blessings of my life.

Yustina's place of choice to spend the day couldn't be more fitting or maybe it was fate, that we should celebrate our reunion at the Myeong-dong Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Seoul, four years later.

The cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Seoul is a prominent symbol of Catholicism in South Korea.

Reunited with Yustina, a friend I met in China four years ago

I was in awe of the cathedral. If walls could speak it would tell of its colorful history beginning from the time the first faith community of Korea congregated here in 1784. Despite heavy persecution from the Joseon dynasty, the Catholic faith persevered and saw the construction of the cathedral in 1892. It is the first brick church in the country to be built in Gothic style.

Designated as national historic site no. 258, it has significant historical value embedded in its architecture.

We spent some time in prayer inside the church and in the crypt. One thing extraordinary though is that the pews do not have any kneelers.

The crypt is located beneath the main altar of the church. Relics of seven martyred saints killed at the Sae-Nam-To persecution are preserved in the crypt.

The cathedral grounds at night

We strolled around the grotto, took pictures and bought souvenirs at the cathedral store. I chose two kinds of rosaries. One is made of shiny brown and white wood with the Miraculous Medal in it. The other rosary is made of a special kind of bead. Yustina offered to buy this one for me as a gift.

After we left the cathedral, we had dinner in a nearby restaurant. We talked about our life experiences for the past years over a delicious meal of seolnongtang and dumplings.

Ordering food from this "menu for only foreigner" surely whetted my appetite, especially for a "dish of delicious pleasure". Lol! This is a specialty restaurant for seolnongtang - beef brisket boiled in a rich broth of bone soup with chopped leeks, and eaten with rice. The dish is considered good for one's health.

We strolled the alleys of Myeong-dong district, one of Seoul's famous places for shopping and tourism.

Caught up in the night shopping frenzy in Myeong-dong

Going home, I said that I would like to try the subway on my own since it was just a short ride. Yustina insisted to go with me, worried that I might get lost. I am more concerned that she had to travel all the way back which would take her more than an hour to reach home. Anyways, the subway ride was made fun learning survival Korean lesson in directions- wen chok (left), ohroon chok (right), ahpooroh (straight ahead).

Well, that was our wonderful day together. I look forward to many more exciting adventures in Seoul with Yustina.

The beautiful flower arrangement Yustina got for me as a welcome gift

"Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." - Eleanor Roosevelt