성 베네딕도회 왜관 수도원

History & origins

Waegwan Abbey has developed a range of apostolates alongside monastic life, including education, publishing, retreats, and social welfare. One expression of its work for older people took concrete form in Bundo Senior Village in Geumnam-ri. The Korean Catholic Encyclopedia records that the abbey operated the village there as part of its social-service activity.

Bundo Senior Village held its completion ceremony on July 10, 1992. Contemporary historical information describes it as a residential place for older people, showing how the Benedictine tradition of prayer and work expanded into a local apostolate of care.

Current administrative records list “Bundo Senior Village” at the same address as a residential welfare facility for older people and identify Waegwan Abbey as its operator. The Gyeongsangbuk-do facility listing gives November 28, 2005, as the administrative establishment date of the present facility, linking the earlier senior-village initiative with the current welfare system.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea now lists this place as the “Geumnam Community (Bundo Senior Village)” of Waegwan Abbey. Its history is therefore more accurately told not as if it were the construction history of the main abbey, but as the development of a Benedictine social-welfare apostolate in Geumnam-ri that became an established branch community.