To commemorate two significant milestones—the 500th anniversary of St. Angela Merici’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the 125th anniversary of the Ursulines of the Roman Union—the Ursuline Sisters in Thailand embarked on a Jubilee pilgrimage to Zonta Village on Sunday, Feb. 16.
“This pilgrimage is a meaningful way to celebrate our Ursuline heritage and the annual feast of St. Angela Church,” said Sr. Pensri Horae, Provincial Prioress of the Ursulines in Thailand.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri of Ratchaburi, who has a deep connection with the Zonta community and its history.
Zonta Village: A Legacy of Faith and Development
Zonta Village was founded in 1979 in Chom Bueng District, approximately two and a half hours west of Bangkok. It began as a diocesan development initiative when a local priest acquired about 1,000 acres of land—despite lacking legal documentation—to help impoverished families establish sustainable livelihoods.
Recognizing the need for leadership, the diocese invited Sr. Francis Bell, an Ursuline missionary from Mater Dei School in Bangkok, to oversee the project. With her guidance, the community received vital support from the Zonta Club of Bangkok, a service organization dedicated to empowering women and promoting sustainable development. In gratitude, the village was named the Zonta Development Community.
Starting with just five families, the village has grown into a thriving settlement of several hundred families, both Catholic and Buddhist, living in harmony. The residents sustain themselves through dairy farming and agriculture.
Faith has always been central to Zonta Village. With support from the Ursuline Sisters and Mater Dei alumni in Bangkok, a small chapel dedicated to St. Angela Merici was built. Today, St. Angela Church stands as a beacon of faith, unity, and the missionary spirit that continues to shape the community.
“There were around 500 people who attended the feast today. It’s a remote and isolated area, yet the spirit of faith and community remains strong,” said Sr. Regina Maria Nguyen, a Vietnamese missionary of the Religious of the Assumption, who traveled from Bangkok to attend the celebration for the first time.
She noted that while the Ursuline Sisters are no longer actively serving in the mission following the passing of Sr. Francis Bell, they continue to visit the community once a year for the Feast Day—though at times, they are unable to come. “Despite this, the people here continue their journey of faith, accompanied by their parish priest.”
The Ursulines in Thailand: A Century of Missionary Service
According to Sr. Pensri Horae, the Ursuline Sisters first arrived in Thailand in 1924, responding to an invitation from Bishop Perros of Siam (now Thailand), who had sought a congregation of sisters to aid in evangelization and education.
On Oct. 23, 1924, four Ursuline Sisters left Marseille, France, without knowing what to expect in Siam—unfamiliar with its people, language, and climate. Upon their arrival, they initially resided at St. Louis Hospital in Bangkok and dedicated themselves to caring for orphans, assisting with parish work at Calvary Church, and teaching at the parochial school.
In 1926, the Mother General appointed Mother Marie Bernard Mancel as the Superior in Siam. Despite many challenges, Mother Bernard successfully laid the foundation for Ursuline education in Thailand. With approval from Rome and guidance from Bishop Perros, she acquired land to establish a school for women.
In 1928, the Ursulines opened Mater Dei School in Bangkok, marking the beginning of their significant contributions to Thai education. This was followed by the establishment of three additional schools in Bangkok and the northern Diocese of Chiang Mai.
A Continuing Mission of Education and Service
Today, Mater Dei School, the flagship Ursuline institution in Thailand, continues to uphold its tradition of academic excellence and character formation. Guided by the Ursuline motto “Serviam” (“I will serve”), Mater Dei has shaped generations of students who contribute meaningfully to Thai society.
Through their ongoing commitment to education, pastoral care, and social development, the Ursuline Sisters remain faithful to the vision of St. Angela Merici, ensuring that her legacy of faith and service endures for generations to come.
