5299(I)_“GOOD CHRISTIANS AND UPRIGHT CITIZENS”

Salesian Family Day 2020 in Thailand

January 23, 2020

By THA SC

Bangkok, Thailand, 18 January 2020 -- On 18 January 2020, about 150 members of the various congregations, institutes and groups, gathered to celebrate the Salesian Family Day 2020. This was held at Don Bosco Home, Krungthep Kritha, Bangkok, under the leadership of Fr. Francis Cais, the confrere responsible for the Salesian Family in Thailand. The Salesians were the hosts of the celebration. The various congregations and groups that gathered were from the Salesians [SDB], the Salesian Sisters [FMA], the Salesian Cooperators [ASC], Volunteers of Don Bosco [VDB], Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [SIHM], Daughters of the Queenship of Mary [DQM], The Sisters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate [SQM], The Mary Help of Christians Association [ADMA], and the various Federations of Past Pupils [SDB, FMA, SIHM, DQM].

The activities of the day started with the official blessing of Don Bosco Home after this had gone some renovation in order that this can serve as a venue for seminars, meetings, and as boarding for the needy youth that come to study in the universities around the city. Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial, officially cut the ribbon and led the blessing, participated by three other confreres. The offering of the Holy Mass immediately followed.

Another important activity on the Salesian Family Day was the study of the annual strenna of the Rector Major. For the year 2020, the strenna is entitled "GOOD CHRISTIANS AND UPRIGHT CITIZENS". The study was presented by Fr. Joseph Banchong Santisukniran, the director of the Salesian Literature Center. The video presentation of the Rector Major was also viewed, dubbed in Thai, facilitated by the social communications commission of the FMA.

All along the various activities, there was a warm atmosphere of fraternity, joy and togetherness, typical of the Salesian Family. At the close of the conference, Fr. Francis Cais encouraged all the members to continue to uphold the Salesian spirit in the midst of the challenges being faced among the young in all the settings that the members are present.