By THA SC

Hua-Hin, Thailand, 8 December 2020 -- On 5 December 2020, Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB, was the celebrant at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the occasion of 25 years of priestly life of Fr John Bosco Somrote Chaichana at St.Theresa Church - Huahin.

Fr. Somrote gave an interview to Don Bosco Bulletin - Thailand, November-December 2020 issue: "what motivated me to become a Salesian was the evident witness of life of the Salesian confreres, starting from the late Fr Peter Daniele in Arun Vitthaya School, and the Salesians in the aspirantate. Regarding vocation, I got the inspiration from the words of Jesus: 'if anybody wants to follow me, let him stop thinking about himself, take up his cross, and follow me'. For me, this was a clear order for being a true disciple of Christ. As a religious - priest, we should not be selfish, following only our own mind, sticking only to our frame of mind. Jesus said 'stop thinking of yourself'. Following Christ, therefore, means having a part in being a servant.

In all the 25 years of my Salesian priestly life, I can confidently and truly say that in all the places where I have been assigned, in all the responsibilities I have assumed, I have always received love, compassion and cooperation from the Salesian confreres and all the persons concerned. That's why I am filled with joy. There had been problems and obstacles, but I have also received help to overcome them. I am convinced that life is truly filled with God's blessings.

The secret of being faithful to my salesian vocation was the prayer - "may I rather die than lose my Salesian vocation", and obedience to the will of God expressed through the superiors; then, there was also the practice of the Constitutions and Regulations of the Salesian Congregation.

Moreover, Fr. Somrote Chaichana is a faithful member of Fatima Church, Prachuabkhirikhan Province. He made his first religious profession on 1 May 1986; his perpetual religious profession was on 24 April 1994. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 June 1995. At present, he is the rector and the school manager of Huahin Vitthayalai School.

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