Br. Andrew and Br. Ieth with their parents and Salesians in Sampran.
Sampran, Thailand, 27 May 2017 -- This month of May the Saint Paul Salesian Province that includes Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, received the gift of Mary with the profession of three young new confreres, two from Cambodia and one from Thailand. The first one was Br. Norn Chandara, who professed in Don Bosco Lawaan, Cebu, Philippines on May 6, 2017. The two others were Br. Andrew Surachai Rattanayomngamdee and Br. John Bosco Prak Ieth, who made their first vows in Sampran, Thailand on May 26.
Br. Norn Chandara, from the Besucco House of Studies at Don Bosco Technical School Phnom Penh, did his first profession last May 6, 2017 together with his other companions from different provinces/delegation in the EAO region at the Chapel of Don Bosco Formation Center at Lawaan III, Talisay, Cebu City, Philippines. Rev. Fr. Godofredo Atienza, Provincial of the Salesian Philippine South Province (FIS), in the name of the Rector Major, received his vows. His parents, Mr. Eang Eon & Mrs. Phat Channy, and his elder sister, Norn Theary together with Fr. Roel Soto, Fr. Arun Michael Charles, Bro Martin Tantai Nguyen and Bro Joseph Nhat Khoa Nguyen with their new aspirant Chem Moeun from the Delegation of Cambodia attended the celebration.
Br. Andrew and Br. Ieth were received into the Salesian Congregation on May 26, 2017 at the Salesianum of Sampran, Nakhon Pathom Province, by Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, Provincial for Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Br. Surachai is a Thai belonging to the Karen people of Northern Thailand and Br. Ieth is the 5th Cambodian to joint the Salesians of Don Bosco - the first ones were Br. Somoni and Br. Nari, followed by Br. Sarong.
More than 20 brothers and priests, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters (SIHM) - who animated the liturgy - and FMA sisters, attended the ceremony that gives conclusion to one year of Novitiate at the Salesianum of Sampran with two young confreres ready to say yes to Don Bosco and to the Lord. Local students, aspirants and past pupils participated at the religious event 53 kilometers at the west of Bangkok.
Br. Andrew Surachai Rattanayomngamdee is a member of the Karen people, a Thai ethnic minority from the north of Thailand and Br. John Bosco Prak Ieth comes from Kampot Province in Cambodia and a past pupil of Don Bosco Sihanoukville, starting his vocational experience at the Brother Sun Group of Kompung Saom Province.
Br. Chandara with his family and Salesians in Lawaan.
Fr. Dheparat, Provincial of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, with the new Salesians.
At the end of their novitiate in the Salesianum of Sampran, Thailand: Br. Ieth (right), Cambodian and Br. Andrew Surachai, Karen from Thailand.
The parents of Br. Andrew Surachai Rattanayomngamdee behind their son during his First Religious Profession into the Salesian Family. They belong to a Thai ethnic minority of the north.
Br. Chandara with Salesians in Lawaan.
