Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016
Today was a very special day for the delegates to the General Chapter. We all took buses into Bangkok to celebrate with the Redemptorists and the community of , the Feast of Christ the King and the ending of the Year of Mercy, as well as to welcome and celebrate the new General Council. It was a sight to behold—over 120 Redemptorist brothers and priests processing into the church at the beginning of Mass. We were joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand and lead by the main celebrant, Fr. Michael Brehl, who gave a superb homily tying the mercy of God into the day’s readings, especially around the words of Dismas (the good thief), “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
After the celebration of the Eucharist, the Chapter delegates, along with special guests—including the Redemptoristine community that had driven for 4 hours to be present—joined in a wonderful banquet hosted by the Thai Redemptorists. There was singing, a beautiful Thai dance by Fr. Joe Meyer’s children (in beautiful, golden Thai costumes), and a band of young people from the parish. It was a most memorable day and a remarkable testimony to the hospitality and welcome of our Thai Redemptorist hosts.
I would also guess that on the return trip to Pattaya, more than half the confreres blissfully dozed off on the buses!
Fr. Mark Miller, CSsR
