Sam Phran (Thailand). From 10 to 15 February 2019, at the “Ban Than Phraphon” Center in Sam Phran, Thailand, the 4th ACSSA Congress (Association of Salesian History Workers) was held for East Asia and Oceania on the theme Salesian figures relevant in the twentieth century in East Asia.
There are 47 participants representing 8 groups of the Salesian Family in East Asia and Oceania, including the Regional Councilor for East Asia and Oceania, Fr. Václav Klement; the Provincial of the Thai Province, Fr. Dheparat Pittisant; the Provincial of the Thai Province, Sr. Nipha Agnese Rangabpit; the Provincial Councilor for Social Communications, Sister Wirinthip Rosa Inyaem; and the members of the World Team of ACSSA: Fr Francesco Motto, SDB, Sr. Grazia Loparco, FMA, Fr Thomas Achukandam, SDB , Don Stanislaw Zimniak, SDB.
In the messages sent to the participants of the Congress, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Yvonne Reungoat stressed the importance of knowing the Salesian figures of the past. In fact, in order to form and develop Salesian identity, it is necessary to know one’s own history and the re-elaboration of personal and collective memory. 17 profiles of Salesians and FMA were presented that have significantly embodied the Salesian spirit in the various Regions in which the Salesian Family operates.
The Conference was an impulse for the rediscovery of the charismatic identity of the Founders and of the whole Salesian Family.
The Conference at Sam Phran was a follow-up to the ACSSA-ASIA SOUTH Convention held in Hyderabad (India) from 22-24 June 2018 and that of ACSSA-EUROPA in Bratislava from 31 October to 4 November 2018. In 2019 there are the ACSSA-AFRICA of Nairobi (Kenya) from 4 to 10 March 2019 and the ACSSA of the AMERICAS which will take place in Buenos Aires from 18 to 22 March 2019. In 2020 there will be the International one.
