By Fr. A. Maung Maung, SDB

       Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar , 6 November 2022 -- On October 31 2022, at 4:30 P.M, Fr. Joachim Ye Maung, SDB, one of the most senior confreres from the vice-province of Myanmar, returned to our Heavenly Father’s Home during the short visit of our EAO regional, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, SDB. He was one of the native pioneer confreres who struggled amidst uncertainties in mission areas of Lashio Diocese, and as a superior, strove to build up the Salesian Congregation to take firm root in the soil of Myanmar. Under his leading role and through his great efforts, confreres increased in number. The Salesian communities increased one after another. The most obvious thing was that the delegation of Myanmar was able to become a vice-province. Throughout his life, he earnestly served as parish priest, superior of the delegation and the vice-province, the rector of some communities, the confessor and even as the director of the Planning and Development Office (PDO) until his recent death.

       On November 3 2022, at 11:00 A.M., the solemn funeral and burial service took place in the Nazareth compound, beginning with the holy mass celecrated by His Excellency Cardinal Charles Bo, SDB, and concelebrated by Bishop Lucas Dau Ze, SDB and Bishop Saw Noel (the auxiliary bishop of Yangon Archdiocese). During his homily, Cardinal Charles recalled his remarkable memories of the time spent together in prayer, studies, sports, and works in Nazareth School. Furthermore, he added that they were both zealous Salesian missionaries in difficult mission areas in the eastern part of the country. As the reward of their great efforts, the mission land was transformed into the diocese of Lashio, and Cardinal Charles Bo (at that time, a parish priest) as its first bishop as we all know today. Together with Salesian Family members, priests and religious from other congregations, there were almost one thousand people participated in the funeral and burial service of Fr. Joachim Ye Maung, SDB.

       Though we mourn his loss, we are also glad and proud of him for having successfully fought the battles of life, and finished the hard race and gained a crown as a faithful son of Don Bosco. His perseverance as a Salesian until death has become an inspiration and a motivation for all of us, especially for the young Salesians. We are grateful to Fr. Joachim for all the sacrifices and services he gave to the church, the congregation and the young people of Myanmar.

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