2002 THA-Cambodia Missionary's Golden Jubilee of priesthood
austraLasia #2002
Worthy celebration of missionary and communicator of the
Word - Banpong, Thailand
BANPONG: 9 December 2007 -- Amongst many worthy
celebrations of ordination and profession on 8th December this year, we
note in particular that of Fr Francis Sacco, Salesian, Sicilian, and a
missionary in Thailand since 1958. Fr Sacco celebrated his Golden
Jubilee of Priesthood at Banpong, Thailand, on 8th December this year,
where he was joined by thirty concelebrants and one bishop - bishop
John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen, bishop of Ratchaburi diocese.
Fr Sacco, born in Catania in 1929, began his
missionary life when he went to India in 1953 for theology. That
gave him the chance to learn English and know of the teachings of other
religions. He also learned something about medicine and its
administration, and in the villages there came to be known as 'Father
Doctor' for his care of the sick. By 1958, soon after his
ordination in 1957, he was in Thailand and there began a long
missionary trail of good works as professor in the seminary (Hua Hin),
parish priest (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Hat Yai, Chumphon),
responsibility for social communication and catechesis (Suratthani
diocese), VIce Rector and Bursar (Banpong) and finally confessor at
Nazareth House Banpong where he is now.
The Provincial of the Thai Province, Fr Dheparat
Pitisant, described Fr Sacco as 'good professor, good catechist and
good parish priest' and the bishop went on to add 'good catechist,
spiritual director and model of faithfulness in following Jesus
Christ'. And Fr Sacco himself recalled that his vocation began as
a child, reading books and learning about people. From that moment he
wanted to 'spread the Word'. Today, at 78, he remains not only
active, visiting people on his bicycle, but filled with the same desire
to spread the Word. He remains intensely interested in media and
making CDs to teach catechetics. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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