For the year 2024, which marks the 50^th anniversary of the Pattaya Orphanage, our Family Day celebration was held a bit earlier but still during the Thai New Year or Songkran Festival. The blessing ritual began with the procession with our Lady Songkran and the traditional pedestal decorated with symbolic thread for binding the wrists of the blessed, joined by all members from toddler’s age and older, moving from the main inner road close to the front gate to the ceremonial site. The Lady Songkran offered to Fr. Michael Weera Phangrak and Fr. Francis Xavier Kritsada Sukkaphat, who presided over the observance, with floral hand garlands. Our girls in primary and secondary school levels performed the northern dance for the blessing of all concerned. They also led the pouring of water with petals on to palms of elders and special guests and received blessings in return. The two priests gave blessings in return at the end of the ceremony. In the afternoon, children enjoyed outdoor refreshments in between their fun play with water pistols to cool down from this year’s extreme summer heat. Thanks to all concerned for the organization of and participation in the memorable event..

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