3217 First Cambodian Salesians professed in Thailand
austraLasia #3217

 

First Cambodian Salesians professed in Thailand

SAMPRAN (Thailand) 1 May 2013 --  On this day, Br. John Bosco Somony and Br. John Bosco Nary Phen became the first local (Khmer) Salesians from Cambodia  during the first profession of novices in Sampran, Thailand.

Four young men were professed for the Saint Paul Salesian Province that includes Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Br. Paul Warayut Charoenphoom from Chanthaburi and Br. Andrew Weeraphong Praiwankeeree from Chieng Mai were the other two new confrers for the Thai province.

The Provincial, Fr Prasert, presided and 30 brothers and priests, incliding a representation of Salesians, Cooperators and teachers from the four works in Cambodia - Poipet, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Kep, were present. Fr. Prasert praised the event as historical for the Salesian Congregation not only because the first Cambodian Salesians were 'born' today after more than 20 years of mission in that country, but also because one of the Thai newly professed is from an ethnic group, giving hope for a new flow of vocations from this newest mission field in the Chieng Mai region.