by Weena Kowitwanij

This is the story of Pakapol Thong-Umpai, a young man from the Diocese of Ratchaburi. Faith discovered in the family and cultivated over the years in the parish and in the seminary. He is the only Catholic to attend the Naval Academy and is admired by colleagues for his dedication to others. At the end of each day a prayer for parents and friends.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - After a week spent at the Academy, the weekend is dedicated to his parish of origin to participate in activities dedicated to children. And responding to his fellow students, almost all Buddhists, who asked him when he rests he replies enthusiastically that "the children's joy is my joy." This is the story of Pakapol Thong-Umpai, an 18 year-old young man from the community of the Sacred Heart of the Diocese of Ratchaburi, central Thailand, who has enrolled in the second year of the Naval Rating School (Nrs), the only Catholic - along with two Protestants - to aspire to enter , in the near future, the country's Navy. Along with his passion for the Navy, the young man also unites faith in Christ that drove him to become the youngest member of the Diocesan Commission for Evangelization.

In recent days Pakapol recounted his experience to the  Channel 9 TV channel, during an interview with Fr. Watchasin Kritjaroen, director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS Thailand). "My father is a Catholic doctor - says the young man - and my mother a Buddhist nurse and I am an only child." Their family lives near Wat Phleng, the parish of the Sacred Heart in the center of which stands the diocesan evangelization centre which opened in 2000.

From an early age he encountered the Catholic faith, thanks to the work of catechists and teachers. Pakapol recalls one teacher in particular, who gave him "a small statue of Our Lady of Fatima, telling me that was a gift for attending the mass". He then attended a seminary, appreciating "the ability to live in close contact - given that he is an only child - like brothers" and completing the first six years of study. But his passion for the sea and the military life proved to be stronger, and for that "I thank my parents who did not force me into the priesthood" while remaining closely bound to the Catholic Church.

"Being a member of the Navy - explains Pakapol -  does not mean less spirituality. My belief in God remains firm and is a way for me to be a witness of God among friends of different religions", since only two of his fellow soldiers are Protestants and there are no other Catholics. His Academy companions "admire" him because "I have the courage to bear witness to my being Catholic," says the young man, and every night before going to sleep, "I pray first of all to always be a good son of God, then turn a thought to my parents ... for my friends and the souls of all. "

 

• thailand
• catholic
• faith
• evangelization
• witness
• naval
• academy
• youth