Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - During his pastoral visit in South East Asia the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, visited the church of St Joseph at Ayutthaya, the first Catholic mission in Thailand, and celebrated Mass for the Feast of St Andrew at Chiang Mai Cathedral.
St Joseph’s church “is dearly recalled as a witness of evangelisation and dedication of all the bishops and missionaries who worked in Thailand till the end of their lives” the Cardinal said in his address at Ayutthaya on 29 November. In effect the earthly remains of Bishop Pierre Lambert de La Motte, Vicar Apostolic of Cochinchina, who arrived here in 1622, and 7 other bishops who succeeded him and those of 23 missionaries, are preserved in the church. In his address Cardinal Sepe greeted Cardinal Kitbunchu, Archbishop of Bangkok, Father Joseph Virasak, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand, the priests of St Joseph’s parish and other clergy present. “In fact, in this historical area, the then St. Joseph Camp has attested to the birth and growth of the local Church through the initial praiseworthy efforts of these pious members of the Mission Etrangères de Paris” said Cardinal Sepe, adding “may the missionary spirit, notably shown in generations and generations of missionaries, enhanced by the good examples of Blessed Nicolas Bunkerd Kitbambung, be always the model of this local Church and its members in re-launching mission "ad gentes" with courage and zeal”.
On Tuesday 30 November Cardinal Sepe celebrated Mass for the feast of St Andrew the Apostle at Chiang Mai cathedral in northern Thailand. During his homily he reflected once again on the vocation of Christ’s disciples and the call which the Lord makes to all to be his witnesses in the world. “it is good to remember that if we are here today as Christians, it is because of the gift of faith that had been handed over to us, thanks to the missionary efforts of the priests, religious and catechists who, despite numerous challenges, hardships and sufferings, had worked strenuously for the proclamation of the Gospel in the Diocese of Chiang Mai.... Now, it is our turn to continue the same mission initiated in this territory long time ago!” he said.
The Prefect of the missionary congregation then recalled that the mission entrusted to the Church by Christ is still only beginning. The Church needs priests who fulfil their mission to teach, sanctify and care for the faithful and the Cardinal asked to people to pray for vocations, and he launched an appeal to young people: “Dear Young People, I ask you to listen to the call of Jesus who loves you so much as his brothers and sisters. He wants you to follow him more closely. The Church needs your service.”. On behalf of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples the Cardinal thanked the priests, men and women religious and catechists for their dedication to the apostolate, service to those in need and services for the growth of the Church. Lastly, recalling that this is the special Year of the Eucharist, Cardinal Sepe urged those present to “cultivate a close relationship with Jesus who is really present in the Blessed Sacrament which is the centre and summit of the Church’s life”. On Wednesday 1 December, on the next lap of his pastoral visit to South East Asia the Cardinal will go to Cambodia. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2004; righe 38; parole 550)
