[Five Spiritualities Testimony] From Divorce to a Restored Marriage in Naju

"From Divorce to a Restored Marriage in Naju"

Christina Lee, Kyung-ah, Incheon, South Korea

It is truly a miracle that my husband Samuel and I came to Naju. Looking back now, I believe that it was not by our own will, but that the Lord and the Blessed Mother led us here through Their mysterious providence.

About 7 years ago, my husband and I stamped the divorce papers at the Suwon District Court. I had been working hard, focusing only on moving forward in life, but I resented my husband deeply because nothing seemed to go well no matter what he tried to do. I couldn’t stand the sight of him. At that time, I was working as an executive director at a corporation and believed that I could live perfectly well on my own without my husband.

After stamping the divorce papers, I lived in Suwon while my husband lived in Incheon. When he came to see me, there were days when I felt so sorry for him and pitied him deeply, but on other days I couldn’t even bear to look at him. This cycle repeated itself many times. I had heard about Naju many times from my older sister, but at first I had absolutely no interest in it.

One day at work, I saw my colleagues arguing fiercely over money. I hated the scene so much that I grabbed my bag and stepped out, saying I was going to have a cup of coffee. But once I was outside, I just couldn’t bring myself to go back into the office. So I went home instead, and from the next day on I turned off my phone and quit my job. Until the day before, I had never imagined that something like that would happen to me.

Then one day, Samuel missed me so much that he drank heavily at night and, not in his right mind, drove from Incheon to Suwon to see me. On the way, he crashed into the center divider and caused a major traffic accident. 

I had worked so hard in life, always looking only ahead, but suddenly I found myself thinking, “Wait… where did my apartment go? And what happened to my land in Jeju island?” The 28,760 square meters of land that I had bought with my own money ended up in a lawsuit, and in order to pay the lawyer’s fees, I even had to sell my car. In the end, nothing was left. It felt as if God had brought both Samuel and me completely down to the ground, making us lie flat at the very bottom.

So my older sister and Samuel came to me and said, “Let’s go to Naju just once.” That was how I came to Naju for the first time. When I first arrived, I even thought to myself, “Let’s see if I ever come here again.” However, after I started going to Naju, things in my life gradually began to work out one by one, and my financial situation also slowly began to recover.

These were things that human beings could not accomplish on their own, and through these experiences my heart, which had been firmly closed, slowly began to melt away like snow. After that, I made a decision to participate in the First Saturday pilgrimage in Naju every month, and I have continued making the pilgrimage until now.

At first, I prayed in gratitude for the material blessings I had received. But as time passed, I began to feel that my heart was gradually changing in a more spiritual direction. So during my pilgrimage to Naju last month, I strongly felt that while praying the Way of the Cross, I should pray for and bless the people whom I had not been able to forgive.

When I went to the First Station, I realized that I hated my older brother. So I prayed for him and blessed him. I also realized that I had a bit of resentment toward my brother-in-law, so I prayed for him as well during the way of the Cross at the Blessed Mother’s Mountain in Naju. 

During prayer, I also had a special experience in which a strong fragrance of roses came from my hands. My husband smelled the fragrance as well and was amazed. Although we had already received many graces before, this was the first time we experienced something so powerful. While praying the Way of the Cross up to the Fourteenth Station, I continued to offer prayers of blessing for the people who came to my mind. Through that process, I felt that I was gradually growing spiritually.

Now my husband and I realize that the sanctification of the family is more important than anything else. The greatest grace I experienced in Naju was that I myself repented and was transformed. I will strive to grow spiritually by becoming more humble and lowering myself.

💗 Christina and her husband, Samuel 💗

I am also deeply grateful to my older sister, who brought me to Naju. I am very sorry for the pain of heart I caused my husband all this time, and these days I try my very best to be good to him as my reparation. Please look kindly upon us as my husband and I walk hand in hand in Naju Shrine.

I give all the glory to the Lord! 💖

May 6, 2017 

Christina Lee, Kyung-ah 

Incheon, South Korea

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