Nonthaburi, Bangkok, November 7, 2026

It is the evening of Saturday, November 7, 2026. Gathered around the table, we reflect on the eventful day we have just experienced, celebrating at our Parish of Our Lady of Mercy, in the Nonthaburi district of Bangkok, the conclusion of the 25th anniversary of our presence in Thailand. It was an event prepared over several months, with many people generously offering their time and collaborating with us.

At around nine in the morning, together with those who were gradually arriving, we welcomed the Archbishop of Bangkok, the Bishop of Chiang Rai, and the Apostolic Nuncio in front of the church. Xaverian missionaries, diocesan priests, and priests and religious sisters from other congregations were also present.

Once inside the church, after a brief introduction, we showed the video we had prepared about “the journey of the Word” throughout the centuries: before Jesus, with His coming, and later across the different continents through the men and women sent to proclaim it.

We then celebrated the Eucharist, during which the passage about the call of Abraham and the account of the Visitation were proclaimed.

After the Eucharist, we made our way to the hall that the PIME Fathers, who are responsible for the parish, had kindly made available to us, undeterred by the rain that had unexpectedly begun to fall.

More than four hundred people had registered to share the meal, which took place in a joyful atmosphere, accompanied by songs in different languages.

At the end of the celebration, we gave each participant a small potted succulent plant. It was already past four in the afternoon when people began returning to their homes.

We would like to share some impressions of this special day.

— The sisters worked incredibly hard, and the Lord also had a hand in everything. The turnout was remarkable, far exceeding our expectations.

During these days, I was deeply moved to see our house filled with people eager to help. I realized that, in order to build closer relationships with people, it is important to propose concrete activities, because it is precisely through these shared experiences that relationships grow.

Perhaps, as we look toward the future of the mission, we need to seek together ways of encouraging practical collaboration with people, because we too are enriched and nourished by the good they do.

In fact, preparing the small potted plants gave many people the opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. Although they attend the same church, many do not know each other, and visiting one another's homes is not a common practice.

For this reason, a few years ago, together with the group of lay missionaries, we began the tradition of organizing a Christmas celebration at our house, extending an invitation to the families in the neighborhood, almost all of whom are Buddhist.

It has become a celebration with very meaningful participation, one that everyone now looks forward to with great anticipation.

— Some people were deeply moved by the video, while others asked for a copy. As she was leaving the church, one woman remarked:

“If we can experience such great joy here on earth, what must heaven be like?”

— The Buddhist women from the marginalized neighborhood, who gather every Friday with Teresa to share the Word of God, also took part in the celebration. They were delighted.

One of them wrote this evening:

“The Lord has opened a path of light for us as well, allowing us to meet people of different nationalities and languages. I will treasure this experience in my heart forever!”

And this was precisely the theme of our celebration:

“Making the World One Family in Christ.”

— An English-speaking Christian woman wrote:

“The video showed us how the Word, like a light, reaches every continent. I felt privileged to be able to profess my faith freely, especially when I thought of the many people who suffer persecution.

Hearing them speak Thai encouraged me to resume studying the language.”

Another woman commented:

“I don't know how to sing, but I can bake two cakes.”

And that is exactly what she did.

Human relationships are essential for bearing witness to the Gospel here in Thailand. Without relationships, how can we proclaim the Good News?

People are unlikely to approach someone they do not know.

We continue our journey with gratitude and renewed enthusiasm:

Mission is a wonderful experience!

Teresa, Angela, Catarina, Eudoxie, Elizabethe, Francine, and Kratee