"Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”(Mt 19:16)

By THA SC

Sampran, Thailand, 24 November 2020 -- From 19 - 21 November 2020 the Thai salesian Youth Ministry Team under the guidance of Fr Noppadol Joseph, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, organised a vocational camp on the theme: "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” (Mt 19:16), at Bann SantihamSavio, Sampran, Nakhon Prathom. 83 Young peoples from many places were gathered together for the camp.

This Salesian Vocation Camp has been an annual event since 1971, the present one being the 49th. This was the first time in its history that the venue was changed, from Huahin to Sampran, and shortened, from 7-10 days to only 3 days due to the Covid - 19 pandemic, even though it has been already 4 months that nobody has been found positive with the virus. But in order to be prudent and vigilant, the camp organizers reduced the time significantly.

In spite of this radical reduction, the camp did not lack vivacity. It was still a time to light the fire of a vocation and to know St. John Bosco and the salesians, by means of the various activities.

Fr. Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial, was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass at the closing of the camp. In his homily, he pointed to the exemplary life of Blessed Carlo Acutis as a youth who was devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, to Mary, to the works of mercy [he helped the poor and the underprivileged]. He challenged the young participants to be courageous to answer the call of God by participating in the mission of the Salesians.

After the camp there were 17 students who applied for the Aspirantate for the coming school year 2021. The school year in Thailand is starting in May.

In Thailand there are 3 Aspirantates: Hua Hin (Grade 7-9) with 13 boys, ChiangMai (Grade 7-9) with 21 boys and Banpong - Nazareth House (Grade 10-12) with 30 boys of secondary high school.

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