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.
