5222(II)_The Salesian Marching Band Prepares To Welcome His Holiness, Pope Francis

October 8, 2019

By THA SC

Banpong, Thailand, 8 Ocotber 2019 -- His Holiness, Pope Francis will visit Thailand from the 20 - 23 November 2019, the 32nd apostolic visit of His Papacy and as head of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is the second Pope to visit the Kingdom of Thailand within a period of 35 years since the visit of the now late St John Paul II as Royal Guest on 10-11 May 1984. This present visit is a pilgrimage of peace and dialogue, and an opportunity to celebrate the 350 years of the establishment of the Siam Mission and 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Vatican.

The Organizing Committee to welcome His Holiness, The Pope, has invited the Salesian Marching Band to officially welcome His Holiness, at the Suphachalasai Sports Stadium. It is for this reason that the marching band of five Salesian schools - Sarasit Phithayalai School, Huahin Vitthayalai School, St. Dominic School, Saeng Thong Vitthaya School, and Don Bosco Vitthaya - numbering 195 individuals, and the 30 trainers - have begun a training camp which is divided into two parts: the first part is from 1-10 October, and the second part from the 16-20 November 2019. The practices will be hosted by Sarasit School, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province.

The performance at the Suphachalasai National Sports Stadium will be the place where His Holiness, Pope Francis, will preside at the Holy Mass on 21 November 2019. The forty five minutes show is composed of marching display and musical concert performances, while His Holiness arrives at the venue. Indeed, this is a great honor for the Joint Salesian Marching Band.