One hundred and twenty-five years after the passenger ship Annam carried five missionaries from France to Siam, the Brothers of St. Gabriel marked the anniversary of their educational mission in Thailand.
A Thanksgiving Mass was held Oct. 7 at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok to commemorate 125 years of the congregation’s work in education and human formation in the spirit of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn conveyed his congratulations.
“As the Brothers of St. Gabriel in Thailand mark the 125th anniversary of their enduring mission to educate and nurture the youth, I wish to express my sincere admiration and extend my best wishes. May your organization successfully fulfill its mission, bringing about ever-greater and more widespread benefits,” the king said.
Queen Suthida, an alumna who earned her Bachelor of Communication Arts from Assumption University of Thailand in 2000, also reflected on the congregation’s contribution to education.
“The Brothers of St. Gabriel have long been dedicated to providing education and advancing academic standards in Thailand—spanning levels from early childhood to higher education—thereby playing a vital role in cultivating high-quality human resources who serve as a key driving force for the nation,” she said.
Queen Suthida bestowed a pair of royal candles for the Eucharistic liturgy.
The Mass was presided over by Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri and concelebrated by Archbishop Peter B. Wells, apostolic nuncio to Thailand, along with bishops, brothers, priests, religious, educators, alumni and student representatives.
A humble arrival and a growing mission
The congregation’s presence in Thailand began in October 1901 at the invitation of Father Émile August Colombet, founder of Collège de l’Assomption, or Assumption College.
Seeking to improve the school’s standards, Father Colombet entrusted its administration to the French brothers.
Led by Brother Martin de Tours, FSG, and joined by figures such as Brother Hilaire, author of the Darunsuksa Thai language textbooks, the community laid the foundation for an expanding educational network.
Following World War I, growing demand led to further expansion. The brothers established Saint Gabriel’s College in Bangkok’s Samsen district in 1922, followed by Montfort College in Chiang Mai in 1932.
The Saint Gabriel’s Foundation of Thailand was established in 1937 to streamline governance and separate pastoral life from civil administration.
In later decades, the network expanded into tertiary education through the Assumption Business Administration College, or ABAC, which later became Assumption University of Thailand, the nation’s first international university.
Reflection, scholarship and renewal
The anniversary celebrations included academic and spiritual activities throughout the week.
On Oct. 5, the “FSG Academic Expo 2026” at Assumption College featured a scholarship presentation by the Brother Louis Chanel Foundation.
A total of 900,000 baht was awarded to support gifted students facing financial hardship across the country’s Catholic school network.
The following day, an administrative seminar convened by Superior General Brother Dionigi Taffarello brought together leaders from the foundation’s 16 affiliated institutions.
The seminar focused on the challenges of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change, while reflecting on the relationship between modernization and spiritual values.
A mission for the future
During the liturgy, Archbishop Wells reflected on the continuing mission of the congregation.
“The anniversary is not only a celebration of time but of lives transformed through education. The Brothers’ work is inscribed in the formation of youth, families’ trust, and the vocation of educators… The future calls for more than preserving institutions and demands safeguarding spiritual integrity and unity,” he said.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Brother Dionigi reflected on the relationship built over the decades between the congregation and Thai society, including families, educators, alumni and the local Church.
“The first five brothers brought with them the Gospel, confidence in Divine Providence, and a spirit of service,” he said. “In return, Thailand formed the brothers, embedding its culture and generosity into the congregation’s identity.”
Brother Dionigi urged the community to look toward the future with gratitude, maturity and renewed generosity, while reaffirming the educational mission as central to the Church’s work and focused on the human person.
Thailand Provincial Superior Brother Dr. Surakit Srisarankulwong, FSG, also expressed appreciation to the educational community.
He said that as artificial intelligence and modern technologies reshape human relationships and learning, the network remains committed to forming students with strong character and moral grounding.
Over its 125-year history, the foundation’s institutions have educated generations of students who went on to serve in public life.
Alumni of the Assumption family include former prime ministers Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada, Thaksin Shinawatra and Samak Sundarave, as well as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Gen. Surayud Chulanont, president of the Privy Council.
The anniversary marked the congregation’s continuing commitment to education, character formation, and service in Thailand.
