* Masses Mark the End of the Pauline Year in the Church in Korea

The Pauline Year, inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI on 28 June, 2008 to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul, the Apostle, was closed on 29 June, 2009. In communion with the Universal Church, each diocese and religious institute in Korea celebrated a Mass and held various events marking the end of the Pauline Year on 28 and 29 June, 2009.

The Archdiocese of Seoul celebrated the closing Masses of the Pauline Year presided over by the Most Rev. Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Vicar General of Seoul, at Myeongdong Cathedral on 28 June and at the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine on 29 June, 2009, respectively.

In his homily, Bishop Yeom underlined that "when we, Christians, live following the example of St. Paul who showed us true faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the spirit of the Pauline Year can be realized within us."

Besides, the Society of St. Paul and the Daughters of St. Paul in Korea also celebrated the closing Mass of the Pauline Year at the church of the Daughters of St. Paul in Seoul on 29 June, 2009 and they made a resolution to keep the spirit of the Pauline Year alive.

The other dioceses throughout the country had a time to recall the life and faith of St. Paul, the Apostle, with closing Mass and various ecclesiastical events.