The Rector Major arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok at 13.10 hrs. of 5 May 2022. He received a warm welcome from Fr. Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, Regional Councillor to the Rector Major for the EAO Region, Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial and the representatives from the various members of the Salesian Family of Thailand. Even though the presence of the welcoming group was limited due to the continuing health protocols still being imposed by the government because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic [although this is slowly waning down], they all came full of joy to meet Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, the presence of Don Bosco among us.
The itinerary of the visit of the Rector Major to Thailand is divided into 2 parts: the first - to preach the spiritual retreat of the Provincials of the EAO Region and their Councils from 7-12 May 2022 at the Salesian Retreat House in Huahin; the second - to visit the salesian confreres and their works from the 13-18 May 2022. “We pray that the mission of the Rector Major will go on well and will bear fruit”.
At present, the Thai Salesian Province of St. Paul, is composed of 3 countries, namely, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, with a total of 110 confreres. In Thailand there are 13 communities, 1 community in Laos, and 3 communities in Cambodia. An important highlight of the Thai province is the unity of the members of the Salesian Family. There are 10 groups, namely, the Salesians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Association of Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [SIHM], the Institute of the Daughters of Queenship of Mary, the Religious Sisters of the Queenship of Mary, Volunteers of Don Bosco, the Past Pupils of the Salesian Schools and the Salesian Sisters' Schools.
By THA SC