Description
Saint John Bosco's Church in Kok Sa-at has an interesting history that traces back to the 1940s when the Italian priest Joseph Forlassini helped several Catholic families in the village of Ban Kok Sa-at establish their first church. These families had moved to Ban Kok Sa-at from the Catholic village of Ban Thung Mon, where St. Catherine's Church is located, and which is about 15 minutes north of Tha Rae, the largest Catholic community in Thailand.
Rev. Forlassini was known to the villagers as Baht-Luang Lassini (บาทหลวงลาซินี), i.e. Pastor Lassini. He was a traveling priest who belonged to the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), formally the Society of Saint Francis de Sales. Their coat of arms consists of a shining star, the large anchor, and the heart on fire to symbolize the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.
An old wooden house in the village was renovated to become the first Saint John Bosco Church Kok Sa-at (วัดนักบุญยอห์น บอสโก โคกสะอาด). Then, over the years, a couple other wooden churches were built, but then demolished due to deterioration. Until at last in 2000, a lovely new church was built, serving many more Christians villagers than the original five families that Baht-Luang Lassini shepherded. The new church was built with assistance of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng.
At Saint John Bosco's Church, you'll see several images of Saint John Bosco, who was known for his innovative teaching methods and his focus on helping young people develop their skills and abilities. Also known as Don Bosco, he died on January 31, 1888, and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1934. He is the patron saint of apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, and young people. His feast day is celebrated on January 31st.
Saint John Bosco Church (also known as Wat Nukbun Yawn Bawtko in Thai) is located only about a 1/2 kilometer north of Khok Sa-at Priest's Camp Site, a lovely Buddhist temple with an impressive tableau of gold Buddha sculptures.
