• English
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Español
Copia di Roma 1 compressa
You are here:Home / Family News / NEF 2016 / Family News - February 14th, 2016 / Life of the Congregation (1)
Feb 17, 2016

Life of the Congregation (1)

In the footsteps of the first scj Missionaries for 90 miles

In the Fifties-seventies, Betharram Religious crossed the mountain tracks of northern of Thailand in order to bring the Good News to the isolated villages. Their courageous expeditions were engraved in the memory of the local people, who recall their life witness as an example of missionary zeal and dedication. As a tribute to this missionary work and to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (founded by Mgr. Lacoste scj) who celebrated their Golden Jubilee of Foundation, some Betharram Religious organised a 5 day pilgrimage. Just one rule for all: walk, descend, climb up… in the footsteps of the first missionaries.

The pilgrimage began December 3, 2015 at Ban Huay Pong Lao, in Khun Yuam district (province of Mae Hong Son). The group was formed by Father Somphong, who began this initiative, Fr. Phairote SCJ, Fr. Bunlert, Fr. Sakchai a diocesan priest, 2 Maepon sisters, a catechist and a parishioner.

For half of stage one, the group was guided by a faithful parishioner of Huay Pong Lao. It was a real adventure. We had to climb a mountain, down along a raging torrent, crossing streams and rivers . . . The path was honoured by the recitation of the Rosary and by personal prayer. After four hours of walking, we arrived at Ban Wang Kuang Tung where we were expected by the villagers who welcomed us and prepared lunch. Our guide went back to his village, we worked our way along the paved road to the village of Meto. The village priest, Father Jaroen, made us welcome. After a refreshing shower, the day ended with a Eucharistic celebration with the participation of the villagers. Fatigue was felt and some were happy to have a good revitalising massage.

The second stage of our journey took us along the paths travelled by missionaries “from another age”. These trails had been abandoned for several years and we had to ask the help of a guide familiar with the area. Meanwhile, the group was enriched by three people. This was the shortest stage, approximately 25 kilometres.

The third stage of our pilgrimage was very similar to the first. Along the way, nine others joined us, including a lady of 74 years and a girl of 13. The trail climbed up the mountain, the highest we had to cross so far.

Inevitably fatigue kicked in. The initial plan was to spend the night in the forest, but after a big storm, we had to think of plan B, so we decided to rest in the shelter of the village of Ban Kong Bo: in fact, spending the night in the forest under these conditions would have been unsafe. Meanwhile, one of us took a detour to bring the Eucharist to the faithful of the village of Ban Din Kao.

Thus we come to the fourth day of our trip, with four new pilgrims including three girls of the Saint Joseph school run by nuns of St. Paul de Chartres.

Not knowing the road from Mae Chaem Mae Laek, we had to ask directions along the way. Then arriving in Mae Laek, none of us knew the villagers, although all were Karens. It was the end of the day, and we did not know where to go. Fortunately for us, there was a Christian family there and within minutes all were ready to welcome us into their homes. The generosity of the people of Ban Mae Laek deserves great praise.

We came to the last day of our journey, and were due to meet up with another group of pilgrims from Huay Tong and Maepon East.

For these pilgrims, the journey had begun by listening to thestory of the first evangelisation by the catechist Tuke, who knew all about the lives of the first missionaries, and with a homily from Father Chokdi Damronganurak, the Huay Tong priest. The trip was accompanied by religious songs and the praying of the rosary. The journey of these pilgrims lasted one day.

However, for those who left early in the morning, at dawn, the road was again an adventure: in fact, we could not follow the paved road but had to cross the slopes of Doi Inthanon in the forest, at the risk of going astray. Thanks be to God, a local villager volunteered to accompany us and all was well.

For pilgrims who had been on the road since Day One, this day was energy-sapping. Father Sompong recited the rosary. On the way, we made some small stops for a breather, but soon we felt the cold of the mountain. It took nearly eight hours to cross the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, climbing to the east to join the paved road to the summit. The guide who accompanied us in the forest then returned to his village, while we headed to Maepon which was still several kilometres on, and no walkers knew the way.
Finally, we found a road sign which showed us the distance to reach our rendez-vous: 11 km, so still two and a half hours of walking, perhaps more because of fatigue!

The other group had already been at the rendez-vous for three hours, but having contacted us by mobile, decided to wait for us so that we could arrive at the end of our journey together.

Finally, at about seven in the evening we all met and made our solemn entrance into Maepon. Forgetting our weariness, we concluded our pilgrimage in style with a Mass of thanksgiving for the protection received during our days walking. Father Sompong, in his brief homily, stressed that “even if some of us walked five days and other just one day, we all receive a blessing: God is always merciful. ”

Walking with Fr. Phairote Nochatchawan SCJ,
& Fr. Martin of Tours Thinakorn Damrongusasin SCJ

Document Actions

NEF, Family news

Nef logoNEF, FAMILY NEWS

Nef is the official bulletin of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram.
Nef is edited by the General Council.

You can read the NEF by going to the appropriate section of the portal, which also contains the archive of recent years.

Below you find the last three issues ...