Nearly 100 friends and benefactors gathered at the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) community in Bangkok on Sunday, September 15, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of SVD’s presence in Thailand.
While the main celebration is scheduled to take place in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, northeastern Thailand, on September 28, the Bangkok community held a local event for those unable to make the 600 km journey to Nong Bua Lamphu.
The Eucharistic celebration began with a special ritual marking the opening of the SVD's 150th anniversary, which officially commenced on September 8, 2024. The ritual was conducted in both English and Thai, while the Mass was celebrated in English, Thai, and Vietnamese to reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of the attendees.
Fr Anthony Le Duc, SVD, served as the main celebrant, with Fr John Hung Le, SVD, delivering the homily. At the conclusion of the Mass, Br Damien Lunders, SVD, one of the original founders of the Thai SVD mission, offered words of gratitude to the guests. Br Damien traveled from Nong Bua Lamphu to Bangkok to attend the occasion.
During the celebration, the community also blessed two marble statues of Sts Arnold Janssen and Joseph Freinademetz, commissioned from Central Vietnam, which had arrived just in time for the event.
After the Mass, attendees enjoyed fellowship and a meal prepared and donated by some of the guests themselves.
Though small in size, the Bangkok SVD community is an active place, regularly hosting both SVD and non-SVD visitors. The community plays a vital role in supporting undocumented Vietnamese migrant workers in Thailand by providing a place for worship and offering spiritual and social support.
The Bangkok celebration not only honored 25 years of SVD presence in Thailand but also marked the festive opening of the Society’s 150th-anniversary jubilee.
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: The SVD Bangkok community was joined by other clergy and almost 100 friends and benefactors for the opening Mass of the SVD Thailand District's Silver Jubilee and the opening of the SVD's 150th anniversary celebrations.
BOTTOM LEFT: Fr John Hung Le SVD with Br Damien Lunders SVD who was one of the Divine Word Missionaries who founded the Thai mission.