The Catholic Church in Thailand marked its additional Day of Prayer for Vocations on the Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 23, as Church leaders acknowledged growing obstacles to fostering new vocations amid a steady decline in seminary enrollment.
While the universal Church observes the World Day of Prayer for Vocations in May, Thailand adds a second observance to strengthen its promotion efforts.
Serra International, the global lay apostolate dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, remains at the forefront of these initiatives through its local clubs across Thailand.
Serra members in every diocese and archdiocese work closely with seminaries and parish pastors, who lead the faithful in prayer for vocations at the conclusion of Sunday Masses.
“For Thailand, adding this day is meant to build a culture of vocation and help young people recognize and courageously answer God’s call,” Mark Niphon Saengpradab, a leading Serra member, told LiCAS News.
Niphon, who sits on the Archdiocese of Bangkok’s newly formed Vocations Committee, said Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana aims to unite all sectors of Church life to strengthen vocation promotion.
The new committee, composed of priests overseeing seminary formation, religious sisters experienced in formation, Catholic educators, and lay representatives, convened its first meeting on Nov. 22 at St. Joseph Minor Seminary.
Committee chairman Fr. Witthaya Ladloi stressed the urgency of the task: “We ask for your cooperation in dedicating your knowledge and experience to achieve our common goals in promoting vocations.”
Committee members discussed several pressing challenges. Many current seminarians come from low-income or working-class families.
They noted that financial instability often disrupts formation or prevents families from supporting long-term seminary education.
For 43 years, the Priestly Vocation Promotion Foundation, led by Fr. Joseph Somsak Thirasak, has sought to relieve this burden, but the need continues to grow.
Recruitment also remains difficult. “Young people are accustomed to the comforts of everyday life, such as sleeping in air-conditioned rooms,” Fr. Witthaya said, adding that adapting to seminary discipline and simple living can be a major hurdle.
Participants expressed alarm at the sharp decline in vocations at the National Major Seminary, where only 28 seminarians are currently enrolled, down from the previous average of 40 to 50.
Sr. Deanna Maria Combong of the Religious of the Assumption (RA), who has served in south and northeast Thailand for decades, said the challenge is deeply felt among women’s congregations as well.
“We have to pray more fervently,” she told LiCAS News. She said the RA community, present in Thailand for about 40 years, has not yet succeeded in attracting Thai vocations.
“Some girls from the northeast and the north showed interest, but after graduating from our high school, they left — though some still keep in touch and remain grateful,” she said.
Former Serra International board member Joseph Vinij Vasupongpipat acknowledged the emotional toll of vocation ministry.
“Working in this ministry can feel like doing nothing, especially when no one joins,” he said.
He encouraged parish leaders to implement the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand’s directive requiring each parish council to appoint at least one member responsible for vocation promotion.
Vinij also recalled Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, who addressed the Serra International Convention in Chiang Mai in 2023, warning that the decline in vocations is a global and regional reality.
“Over the years, we can all acknowledge that the number of men and women responding to God’s call has decreased worldwide, and Asia has not been spared,” Cardinal Bo said.
“Even maintaining existing numbers is becoming more challenging than before,” Cardinal Bo remarked.
Despite these concerns, Church leaders and vocation promoters in Thailand expressed hope that unified action, persistent prayer, and renewed commitment can help revitalize a culture of calling and inspire more young people to respond to God’s invitation.
