On February 2, 2026, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Friar Maria Francesco Hwan-seok SEONG of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in South Korea was ordained to the priesthood. The ordination took place at Galsan-dong Catholic Church in the Diocese of Incheon, South Korea.
The Most Reverend John Baptist Shin-chul JUNG, Bishop of Incheon, South Korea, presided over the solemn ordination liturgy. In his homily, Bishop JUNG encouraged Friar Maria Francesco to proclaim the Word of God through prayer and meditation and to keep the zeal he felt in his heart when he was first called to the priesthood.
Approximately 780 people attended the ceremony, including parishioners from the home parish of the newly ordained, faithful from other parishes under the pastoral care of the friars, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order, the Militia of the Immaculata and other branches of the Franciscan Family.
Please pray for the new priest, that he may minister to God’s flock as a good and faithful shepherd.
Friar Stephen Dahan LEE, Provincial Secretary
