By Bro. Kaeser Saraphan, SDB
Bro. Saraphan is the youngest Salesian Brother in Thailand, and the second Salesian vocation from the North of Thailand. Now he is studying Catechetics in Paranaque - Manila.
I am Bro. Saraphan Kaeser, a Salesian Brother from Thailand. We are four siblings in the family. The eldest one is a priest belonging to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), the second one is a teacher, I am the third and the youngest is our only sister.
I was born in a Christian family environment, but my grandparents and my parents were converts from the traditional religion 10 years before I was born. It was through the efforts of the missionaries from the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharam (MSC) who went to my village in Chiang Mai in the northern region of Thailand that my family received the proclamation of the Good News. Through my parents, I learned about Jesus. My village is quite far from the parish. Sometimes in one year, we can only attend Mass twice because there were very few priests, the parish priest needs to take care of more than 25 chapels in the different villages and the transportation is also difficult. In spite of that, I can say that even though my knowledge about God is not much, I learn from my family how to have a very deep and strong faith.
I began my elementary school when I was 5 years old. My school belongs to the government school system in a Buddhist environment. During this time, I learned about Jesus only during the 10-day summer catechesis camp in my parish. One day during camping, one priest [Fr.Tune] invited me to serve Mass. I told him I never served at Mass before, but he assured me, “don't worry I will help you.” Since then, I wanted to become like him. I didn't know how I could I enter the seminary, though. During my last year of elementary studies, I already wanted to enter the seminary but my parents did not allow me because both my brothers already joined the OMI Congregation. My parents wanted me to stay at home to help them in the farm. I felt sad at that time because I thought that I lost my chance to pursue my dream of entering the seminary. The following day, I went to the house of my grandfather. In his house I saw a booklet with the title “Father and Teacher of the Young.” It was in Thai language and the logo of the school from this word stroke me very much. I asked my uncle about it and he told me about the school, of which he is a past pupil. Immediately, something came to my mind. I'm interested in mechanics and like to repair cars, but, I thought, if I go to Don Bosco Technical School Bangkok it would mean that I wouldn't be able to enter the seminary. My uncle told me “If you want, that can be because that school is a Catholic school and after you graduate you can enter the seminary.”
After that, I went home and told my parents that I want to study in Don Bosco School in Bangkok. I didn't tell them about my desire to enter the seminary because I wouldn't be allowed if I did. I found a reason to go for study. Finally they allowed me, and I was very happy!
When I entered Don Bosco Technical School Bangkok, I chose the mechanics course. I learned the story of Saint John Bosco, and I liked to read his story very much. I stayed in school as a boarder. Every evening after dinner, I saw priests and brothers play sports with us every day. I told myself “one day I will become like them.” I went to the office of Father Rector and I told my desire. From that day on, he started to personally teach me catechesis every Friday. Lastly he told me to write letter to Father provincial and later on the provincial and his council gave me their approval. The next day he brought me to Salesianum House in Sampran to attend the first profession of some Salesians. After the first profession, he entrusted me to Fr. Yarat who was the rector of Nazareth house in Bangpong.
In Banpong formation house I met Br. Chitti, a Salesian Brother, who stayed with us. He taught us technology information. At that time, I thought to myself that I want to become like him. Even if I am not a priest I can help young people in our school. I went to ask my rector “How can I become Salesian brother?” He told me that “It's OK” and “You can choose during Novitiate.” I chose to be a Salesian brother because I read one story of Don Bosco with Joseph Buzetti, who wanted to leave the Oratory. Because of this story, I understood how Don Bosco wanted the Salesian brother to be a part of the Salesian Congregation.
In my opinion the specific contribution of the Salesian Brother to the Salesian Charism and Mission is to enter in the world of the young. The Mission of the Salesian brother is to help the young by using his talents. For me, the Salesian brother, more than the priest, can enter more easily in the social work for the youth in my country.
Now, I am undergoing the specific formation for Salesian brothers in Parañaque - Manila. Many experiences from the Sandor community help me to prepare for my perpetual profession. At the same time, here in DBCS (Don Bosco Center of Studies), I am learning about theology, Salesianity and all these help prepare me for our mission in my province.
The people in Thailand have very little knowledge about the Salesian brother vocation, and so I think that the way to promote it is by informing the people especially the youth during the vocation camps and through the Salesian Bulletin and the Internet. We can also promote awareness by worthily celebrating the perpetual profession of Salesian brothers and their 25th and 50th anniversary. Another way is by translating the “Salesian documents” regarding the Salesian brother in the local language. We can also encourage and support the Salesian brother to animate in different Salesian pastoral settings. Finally, we can formulate a prayer for Salesian brother vocation and encourage the different houses to recite it regularly.
At present the province of Thailand has a total of 92 SDB (51 Thai and 41 missionaries from 11 different countries). Among them are 68 Salesian priests (37 Thai and 31 missionaries) and 1 deacon, 13 Salesian Brothers, 10 candidates for the priesthood-clerics and 1 novice.
Bro. Saraphan amongst senior Thai Salesian Brothers
