When Grace met the Cardinal

Gianna Grace Techamontrikul, 8, interviews Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences in October 2022

This is part 5 of the series "Listening with the heart through generations"
In partnership with Dreikönigsaktion Austria

If not for a miracle, Gianna Grace Techamontrikul, would not be alive today to conduct her first ever interview.

The eight-year-old Catholic girl has been both excited and anxious for weeks since she took up the offer of meeting and interviewing Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the president of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, during the federation's historic 50th Anniversary General Congress in Thailand.

Due to a complication during her mother's pregnancy, Grace was born extremely premature - at only 25 weeks gestation and 600 grams (1.3 lbs).

With less than 5% chance of survival and practically no chance of living without disability, the doctors told her parents to prepare for the worst.

Her parents, however, did not give up hope and prayed to God for a miracle.

On this sunny afternoon at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre, watched on by her mother - a survivor of severe preeclampsia, Grace was able to ask the cardinal, not only her own question, but also questions collected from youths around Asia by SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication.

How can I explain to my friends about my faith and that God is real?

Gianna Grace Techamontrikul | 8 years old | Thailand

Thai teenagers doing a school assignment on the floow

Photo by Napat Noppadolpaisal

Photo by Napat Noppadolpaisal

8-year-old Gianna Grace Techamontrikul interviewing Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, October 2022 .

8-year-old Gianna Grace Techamontrikul interviewing Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, October 2022 .

When you are thankful, a thankful person is a happy person. A grateful person is a holy person... a saintly person.
Each one of us, Grace, you have your own cross. I also will have my own cross. Everyday you offer it up to God.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

How do we find Jesus amid the chaos and noise and the bad people in the world?

Lito | 18 years old | Philippines

Families in an evacuation center in the Philippines

Displaced families live in an evacuation center after losing their homes to floods in the wake of a series of typhoons in the Philippines. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)

Displaced families live in an evacuation center after losing their homes to floods in the wake of a series of typhoons in the Philippines. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)

In reality, one is not aware that Jesus is in them already, inside already, in us already.
There are very few that are really malicious on purpose, bad people... when you have Jesus in you, pray for those people.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Is it OK to attend Mass online?

Vivienne | 18 years old | Philippines

Catholic Mass in the Philippines

Bishops, priests and the laity in the Metropolitan Province of Manila in the Philippines celebrate the “Solidarity Mass for the Moral Choice” on April 6, 2022, (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Bishops, priests and the laity in the Metropolitan Province of Manila in the Philippines celebrate the “Solidarity Mass for the Moral Choice” on April 6, 2022, (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Those who are bedridden in their home... attending Mass online is ok.
As far as possible, those who can go to church should go to the church to receive holy communion.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Many young people today suffer from mental health issues stemming from stressful situations and inner turmoil. What can the Church offer to help us?

Calista | 16 years old | Malaysia

Silhouetted skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at sunset

Silhouetted skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Muhammad Faiz Zulkerflee)

Silhouetted skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Muhammad Faiz Zulkerflee)

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, is very fond of young people. He always says, "Listen to them."
Young people need, from the Church and their parents, to be listened to.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

What can young people do to get the Church to listen more to us?

Philabet | 15 years old | India

Children walking through a colorful alleyway in India

Children walking through an alleyway in Mathura, India. (Photo by Charu Chaturvedi)

Children walking through an alleyway in Mathura, India. (Photo by Charu Chaturvedi)

Synodality means all walking together
Priests and bishops are not the only ones that could do the work of the Church, but also young people; especially young people are generous... they like to be active in the Church.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Is it better to be a Christian and a bad person or a non-Christian and a good person?

Marielle | 25 years old | Philippines

A Buddhist monk greeting Pope Francis

Senior Buddhist monk Phramaha Thongrattana Thavorn, a member of the Focolare movement who is also known as Luce Ardente, is seen greeting Pope Francis in this undated photo from the Focolare Movement.

Senior Buddhist monk Phramaha Thongrattana Thavorn, a member of the Focolare movement who is also known as Luce Ardente, is seen greeting Pope Francis in this undated photo from the Focolare Movement.

Nobody wants to be bad.
We have to pray for everybody whether they are Christian or non-Christian
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. (Photo by LiCAS.news)

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. (Photo by LiCAS.news)

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Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. (Photo by LiCAS.news)

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. (Photo by LiCAS.news)

Grace with Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre.

Grace with Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre.

Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre, Thailand, during the celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Church's "Mission to Siam", May 18. (Photo by Nattha Nuchsuwan/LiCAS.news)

Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre, Thailand, during the celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Church's "Mission to Siam", May 18. (Photo by Nattha Nuchsuwan/LiCAS.news)