Welcome The Rector Major of the Salesian Congregration
On Saturday 14 May 2022, Fr. Kriengsak Chaiyapornkaew, Rector; Fr. Sakchai Trivaudom, Vice Rector; Fr. Yarat Chaiyara, Youth Ministry, together with administrators and teachers of St. Dominic School welcomed Rev. Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, along with Fr. Joseph Phuoc, the Regional Councillor for East Asia – Oceania, Fr. Dheparat Pitisant, Fr. Banchong Santisukniran and Fr. John Pertile who came to visit the school.
When the Rector Major arrived, the group of Salesian confreres and administrators welcomed him in front of the Administrative Building. Then the Rector Major offered flowers to pay homage to St. John Bosco – Saint Dominic Savio and took pictures together at the central monument of S.D., followed by the teachers at the Magone courtyard before visiting the room “St. Dominic Museum” and signed the guest book.
After that, the Rector Major took a picture with a group of janitors – staff of the school at Magone courtyard, the Salesian confreres and supporting teachers respectively at St. John Bosco’s Bicentenary Building before going up to the 3rd floor to join with Fr. Dheparat Pitisant, Dean of Salesian of Thailand-Cambodia- Laos and Fr. Kriengsak Chaiyapornkaew, the rector of St. Dominic for a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the Auditorium. As the Salesian confreres walked into the auditorium, the teachers welcomed them with “Walk Together With Don Bosco” song.
After Rector Major finished watching the video introducing the school, the Dean of Salesian of Thailand-Cambodia- Laos read a prayer, then the Rector Major performed sprinkled with holy water to consecrate the auditorium. Meanwhile, the teachers lively sang the song “Father and Teacher of Youth”.
When the opening ceremony was completed, the Rector Major greeted the teachers by Fr. Banchong Santisukniran, Director of the Salesian Literature Center acted as the translator. Then the Rector of St. Dominic gave a souvenir to the Rector Major with all the Salesian visitors. During that time, all teacher joyfully sang “Dominic Seeds” song.
After the ceremony was over, the Rector Major went to take pictures with teachers from the Science and Technology Department, the Health and Physical Education Department, and the Professional Career Department respectively before entering the 5th floor to see an exhibition about the school on the occasion of the 60th anniversary at Savio Square, and having a friendly snack with the teachers. Next, he took a photo with the teachers of the Thai Language Department, and Foreign Languages Department consecutively. After that, before going back, the Rector Major took a photo with the teachers of the Social Studies, Religion and Culture Department and Mathematics Department at the hall of St. John Bosco’s Bicentenary Building.
One of the important messages that the Rector Major said is”….. Thank you to the three Salesian confreres, the teachers, and the entire staff for making this a wonderful place for young people to learn. Although it is not the largest place I have visited, it is one of the most beautiful. I believe that if parents see this educational and training facilities as I do, I believe they must bring their children to school……”
In addition, the trip to visit the Salesian members of the Provincial of Thai-Cambodia-Laos this time was to attend a silent retreat and preach for the dean and the counselors of the Salesian branches in East Asia and Oceania. He was also honored to receive the first vow of 10 Novices (meaning beginners preparing to learn the life of a priest before taking the oath) at the Salesian, Sampran. It was a great honor for the Salesians of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, including St. Dominic School.