An interview with Mons. Joseph Prathan, SDB, Bishop of Surrathani, Thailand

By Our Own Correspondent

Surrathani, Thailand, 18 September 2016 --

Why and how did you start with your passion for the Word of God/ through the Lectio?

After finishing my first term as provincial and a three years term as Rector of Don Bosco school in Udon Thani in 2001, I felt the need to restore my energy in a useful manner. With the permission of fr. Provincial (Fr. Philip Somchai Kitnichi) I went to Nemi to attend a three months Biblical course organised by SVD Fathers. There I learnt something about Lectio Divina. At the end of the course, I went to visit cloister Dominican Sisters in Ara Crucis monastery at Faenza. They were very much interested of Lectio Divina and practice regulalry. They introduced me to an elderly holy Consolata priest in Turin whose mission is to preach retreat to various religious communities and Priests all over Italy. Those sisters advised me to spend sometimes with this holy priest. I went to Turin and spent two weeks with him. I talked and discussed with him. He helped clarifying all sorts of doubt I had. Following the advice given to me by this holy priest, I went to Modjo in Ethiopia in the year 2002 for a 40 days directed retreat with another Consolata missionary priest. He use to conduct retreats to several priests and religious using Lectio Divina method. After 40 days directed retreat with him in Modjo, Ethiopia, I came back to Thailand with new enthusiasm. I started to talk about Lectio Divina to members of the Salesian family, sending out a monthly meditation to people who are interested via e-mail, preaching a retreat with Lectio Divina method to religious communities and lay people.

How is your monthly 'routine' of Lectio divina session in Surrathani diocese or with the SF?

I gave a monthly recollection to our diocesan priests in Suratthani with Lectio Divina. Each year, i preach retreat to them using Lectio Divina. I found Cardinal Martini’s books very useful. There are plenty of materials for meditation. Every month, I go to our Mary Help of Christians Church in Bangkok and organise a day of Lectio Divina to people who are interested in the Word of God. Participants number from 50 to 200 persons. I’ve been doing this activity for 8 years. Each year we have a 3 days retreat for people who are interested with Lectio Divina method. I have been doing this activity since 2006. At that time, I came to Bangkok for some business. A group of 7 persons asked me to talk to them about Lectio Divina. After listening to my talk, they asked me to come up and organise a day of Lectio Divina for them once a month. The activity has been going on ever since.

What fruits of the Lectio you treasure most in the diocese or with the SDB of Thailand?

The fruit that I can see in those who regularly come to Lectio Divina is the change that take place in their lives. They become more and more interested in the Word of God. They organize a prayer group online. They spread the Word of God daily via LINE. Homilies of the Pope, priests, are sent to various group. People who come from different places little by little form a community of love and service. They organize a visit and teach catechism in prison, organizing an oratory for poor children and many other charitable work. It’s amazing to see all these things happen when people get in touch with the Word of God.

Sharing or wish to the AustraLasia readers?

I feel that people are eager to read and understand the Word of God. They need someone to teach and guide them. Persons who do this job must first be transformed by the Word of God if he wishes it bear fruit in the life of the people. The Holy Spirit is an important agent that makes the Word of God bear fruit in the life of the faithful. That’s why at the end of our Lectio Divina, we pray over asking the Holy Spirit to come upon them and help making the Word bear fruit in their lives.

NB Some useful materials of Bishop Prathan & Lectio divina are available on the Boscolink.

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