By THA SC

       Bangkok, Thailand, 27 November 2021 -- Reverend Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, Regional Councilor to the Rector Major for the EAO Region, visited the Salesian confreres of the Thai Province from 17-27 November 2021. This was the first time that he has visited a Province in the EAO Region after he was appointed to this position in 2020, because of the travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       On 17 November 2021, He was welcomed at the Provincial House by the Provincial Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant and the members of the provincial House, Bangkok.

       On this occasion, Fr. Joseph Phuoc visited the formation houses in Sampran, Banpong and Huahin. He also visited the Skills Development Center for the Blind in Pakkret, the Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Huahin, Fatima Church in Prachuabkhirikhan, the Salesian communities working in the south of the country - in Chumphorn, Suratthani, Phangnga, Songkhla, and the three provinces located in the southern border area where the Salesians are present. The visitor also took the occasion to meet the members of the Salesian Family.

       In this visitation journey, Fr. Joseph Phuoc has covered a distance of about 1,084 km., stretching from Bangkok to the southern provinces, accompanied the whole time by the Provincial.

       At present, there are 110 confreres: the 100 professed Salesians and 10 novices are living and working in 16 communities: 13 in Thailand, 3 in Cambodia and one in Laos: 68 Salesian Priests, 16 Salesian Brothers, 19 candidates to the priesthood (1 deacons, 4 students of theology, 8 practical trainees and 6 postnovices). In three aspirantates there are 66 students and in the only formation house of Sampran there are 6 prenovices.

       The Salesian Family of Thailand-Cambodia-Laos (THA) Province is very large: apart from the SDB, FMA, VDB, Salesian Cooperators, Don Bosco and MHC Alumni and ADMA, there are also three SF groups born in Thailand: Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SIHM), the Secular Institute of the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary (DQM) and The Sisters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate (SQM)

       Though the visitation of Fr. Joseph Phuoc, the Regional of EAO, was only for 10 days, this created warmth and encouragement for the all the Salesian confreres who work with dedication for the betterment of the Thai youth.

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