Pictured above: Mokpo 1965 – Sr Laurentia brings flowers to patient.
We continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our cherished association and connection with Korea with reflections of Sisters who spent time there over the decades. We have also found some wonderful old photos in the treasure trove of our Archives to share.
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Sister Laurentia Harvey (first assigned to Korea in 1963)
It is with great love and peace that I greet you in this special Jubilee Year, when Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door, sending us forth the olive branches of peace and love. What a privilege it is to celebrate our 70th Jubilee in Korea, in such a splendid spirit of thanksgiving and peace.
I first came to Korea in 1963. Though the war had long since ended, American soldiers still remained, many of them in the process of packing up. In many ways, Korea at that time reminded me of what Ukraine looks like today – a nation marked deeply by the lingering traces of war, and the scars that conflict leaves behind in its wake.
We witnessed the aftershocks of the Korean War with our own eyes. Despite the considerable hardships of those early years, it was an immense privilege to see the resilience and determination of the Korean people as they rebuilt their lives. They worked tirelessly to transform their country into the vibrant nation we know today. Life under dictatorship was a difficult reality, but we accepted it as best we could, alongside the people we served.
We were truly blessed to work with remarkably intelligent, compassionate, and understanding individuals – many of whom were meeting a white person for the very first time. Despite language barriers, they patiently tried to understand our broken Korean and often added their own twists to it. Their openness to God was deeply moving; they embraced and practised their faith with warmth, sincerity, and unwavering dedication.
The opening of the new hospital was a significant milestone, though it brought with it enormous challenges. The demands increased rapidly, and at times we struggled to keep pace, especially as the culture was unfamiliar and often difficult for us newcomers to navigate.
To many in the West, the Korean War was what first brought the nation to the world’s attention – and in the process – put it on the map. Bishop Harold Henry often remarked that his appointment came unexpectedly while he was en route to China. Upon hearing the news, he asked, with great earnestness, “Where is Korea?”
We were truly blessed to undertake our mission there and remain deeply grateful to God and to the Korean people for the opportunity to serve and to make a difference.
I remember my first visit to Chuncheon vividly. Sister Philomena brought us to the catechist’s office, where twin babies were awaiting baptism. She guided me through what to do. I baptised one child and named him Patrick, and the other I named Elizabeth – honouring my mother and father’s whole home. That evening, I wrote home to share the news, bringing great joy to my parents and to our entire community. They said, “She really has gone to faraway places, after all.”
In Mokpo City, on my last Saturday evening before returning home, I took a taxi late at night. As usual, I chatted with the driver, and when we arrived at the gate, I prepared to pay. But he refused the fare, saying, “I’m not taking that from you. Put it into the collection plate for me, as I haven’t been to Mass in a very long time – given to the problems I left for at home.”
I thanked him, and as we parted ways, I thought to myself – and I still think it today – “Who has the faith”
Sr Laurentia Harvey
Mokpo, 1960s: Sister Laurentia Harvey demonstrates an X-Ray machine
Kwangju, 1960s: Sister Laurentia Harvey visits leper colony
St. Columban’s Hospital, Mokpo, 1955: with Sisters Martha Keenan, David Mannion, and Philomena O’Sullivan
US Army helicopters in Korea, 1950s
A house in Mokpo built around a tree, 1950s
Sisters Vianney Shackleton and Margaret O’Sullivan visit Korean construction site, 1954
Sister Vianney Shackleton visits a Kindergarten in Mokpo, 1954
Columban Fathers’ Memorial Chapel, 1954