By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai
BANGKOK, Thailand – The Archdiocese of Bangkok marked the Day of the Young Missionary on Jan 24 at the Martyr Shrine of Blessed Fr Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung in Samphran, west of the capital, calling on young Catholics to see themselves not as spectators, but as active missionaries in the life of the Church.
The choice of venue carried deep meaning for participants. Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, a diocesan priest born in Samphran, was imprisoned during the Indo-China War on false charges of espionage and died in custody in 1944 after enduring severe illness and mistreatment.
Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000, he remains a powerful witness of faith and courage, especially for young people discerning how to live their faith in challenging times.
Hundreds of young people from parish and diocesan youth groups attended the full-day gathering, which combined prayer, faith formation, fellowship, and missionary engagement. Organizers stressed that young people are not only the future of the Church, but its living present, capable of evangelizing their peers and communities.
“For me, today was a reminder that I don’t have to wait to serve the Church. I can start where I am,” said one youth participant, who attended the event with her parish group.
The program followed a holistic format, with talks, small-group encounters, interactive spaces, and Eucharistic celebrations. The morning focused on the identity of the Young Missionary, while the afternoon invited participants to reflect on vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
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