햇살사목센터

History & origins

Hatsal Pastoral Center began in August 1994 as a small youth gathering called “Youth Sunshine.” Its early work focused on helping young people rediscover the image of God within themselves and encouraging a more youth-friendly Church. Over time it expanded into resource development, prayer gatherings, counseling, and formation programs for youth ministers and pastoral animators.

In 2004 the community purchased its present Hyehwa-dong building, formerly used as a friary by the Conventual Franciscans, and made it a base for youth-ministry research and young-adult faith communities. In 2015 it adopted the name “Hatsal Pastoral Center” to express a broader aim of renewing the whole Church community. Because the aging building needed repair, renovation began in 2018, followed by a rededication Mass and reopening on June 2, 2019.

At its thirtieth anniversary in 2024, the center articulated more clearly its vision of a “young Church” in which all generations participate, building on three decades of research and formation. Its history is the growth of a small youth gathering into a pastoral research, education, retreat, and community center serving the wider Korean Church.