On the afternoon of 13th May 2022, the Rector Major, Fr Joseph Phuoc, Regional Councillor for East Asia-Oceania, Fr John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, Provincial of Thailand, and other members of the Provincial Councils of the Region, went on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Blessed Nicolas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, where they were able to learn the story of this Thai martyr, who died in prison because of the harshness of the prison regime and was beatified in Rome by Pope John Paul II on 5 March 2000.

In the evening of the same day, the group visited the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in Baan Than Phraphon, near Sampran, in an area that is familiar to two communities: the 'Marie Upatham' Community, which takes care of primary and high school students, and is complemented by the Training Centre for Blind Women in Baan Than Praphon; and the 'Marie Niramol' Community, which takes care of the initial training of candidates for religious life and young people from the Thidarak Foundation.

The Rector Major and his group received a warm welcome from Sr. Nipha Rangapphit, Provincial of the FMA in Thailand, along with that of the Directress and the sisters. On this occasion, the Rector Major blessed the statues of Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, then gave a talk to the sisters.

The following day, the same Salesian team visited the 'Don Bosco' Technological Institute. Fr Joseph Manachai Tharachai welcomed the guests, in the presence of the various confreres, teaching staff, deaf students, alumni and Salesian Cooperators.

The Rector Major offered words of thanks and encouragement to the Salesians and all those present, and imparted the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. Then everyone shared a moment of fraternal agape, which was made even more special by the performance of the deaf students.

The “Don Bosco” Institute of Technology has always been a model of Salesian work dedicated to poor young people. Today it is run jointly by 6 Salesian religious, 19 Salesian Cooperators, and 200 teachers, all of whom are Salesian alumni: a total of 233 people who provide Don Bosco's loving care to the poor students.

Later during the day, the Rector Major and Fr Joseph Phuoc, Regional Councillor, met with representatives of the 10 groups of the Salesian Family in Thailand. About 200 people gathered at the "Phra Mae Marie - Sathorn" school in Bangkok, an institute of the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary (DQM - 19th group of the Salesian Family).

The Rector Major, in his fatherly and affectionate style, gave a message to the participants, stating: “Nothing in this world is truly perfect, but the Salesian Family of Don Bosco nevertheless advances and continues to grow throughout the world”.

Afterwards, the Rector Major participated in a tribute ceremony in memory of the Servant of God, Fr. Carlo Della Torre and visited and blessed the museum dedicated to him.

The event reached its climax with the celebration of Mass presided over by the provincial, during which the Rector Major preached the homily. Addressing in particular the religious sisters hosting the meeting, the DQMs, Fr Á.F. Artime recalled their founder, Salesian missionary and Servant of God Fr Carlo Della Torre, and affirmed: “When a reality comes from God, nothing can stop it. Your founder, our missionary brother, came here to make himself truly 'Thai' in Thailand: it was the Holy Spirit who inspired him to take forward this mission and it continues through time”.

The day ended with a festive evening with popular music and games.

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