Salesian Family Catechists on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Year
Written by THA SC
Bang Nok Khwaek, Thailand, 16 December 2024 -- On 14 December 2024, the Salesian Family Catechism Commission organized a “Salesian Family Catechists on a Journey into the Holy Year” activity. There were 105 representatives of catechists and religious from 5 communities of the Salesian Family, namely the Salesians [SDB], the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians [FMA], the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [SIHM], the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate [DQM], and the Sisters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate [SQM] joined the boat trip to retrace the journey of the Salesian missionaries along the Mae Klong River from St Jacob’s Church, Samut Songkhram Province to the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, Bang Nok Khwaek.
During the boat trip, which lasted approximately 2 hours, Sister Supha Thong-ampai, SIHM historian, described the important events that occurred along the historical route that the Salesian missionaries took to carry out their pastoral work. The participants could observe the way of life of the villagers living along both sides of the river, allowing them to understand the culture, the difficulties in adapting, and the forms of apostolate that the missionaries in the past used to reach the villagers' hearts.
When the boat arrived at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, everyone joined the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Bishop Emeritus Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil SDB, and concelebrated by Father Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, the Provincial, and other Salesian confreres. The celebrant said in his sermon: “The vocation to be an evangelist is an initiative of God. To be a catechist is a ‘vocation’ initiated by God. It is a call to follow Him, to do it immediately, and to leave everything behind. We are all sent to preach. When people hear the proclamation, they believe. When they have faith, they will attain salvation, which is our ultimate goal. May the tracing of the missionary apostolate allow us to experience the generosity of the missionaries to respond to God's call, bringing the good news to us, and creating faith in our hearts. Faith allows us to attain salvation.”
During the offering, various symbols of missionary service were presented. Sister Ana Rosa Sivori, FMA, a relative of Pope Francis, presented a symbol of a barque, which symbolizes the courageous journey to distant lands. This was to remind the catechists to be selfless and to dare to leave their comfort zones to bring others to know God. At the end of the ceremony, there was a thanksgiving ceremony, and Father Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, the Provincial, presented certificates to all the participants. The day ended with a family gathering and a visit to the “Sacred Heart Seminary Bang Chang”, which was the Salesian seminary, the home of the first generation of missionaries who came to Thailand.
Furthermore, the said activity was organized to prepare the catechists for the Holy Year 2025 and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Salesians in Thailand (1927-2027). At the same time, the activity prepared the participants to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the expedition of the first Salesian missionaries, which Don Bosco sent to Argentina in 1875, headed by Cardinal Cagliero.