Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung was born on January 31 1895 AD, in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. He was a missionary and Thai Roman Catholic Priest. He died on January 12 1944, aged 48, in Bangkok, Thailand as a martyr from hardships developed during his imprisonment leading to his tuberculosis illness. His feast day is celebrated on January 12.
Bl. Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung Biography |
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| Date of Birth | January 31 1895 |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | Thailand of Asia |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Blessed who were Priests |
| Profession | Priest and a Missionary |
| Place of Work | Thailand |
| Date of Death | January 12 1944 |
| Place of Death | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Feast Day | January 12 |
| Beatification | Beatified by Pope John Paul II on 5 March 2000 at Saint Peter‘s Square, Rome, Italy |
| Canonization | Canonized by N/A |
| Patronage | Thailand, Catechists and Tuberculosis |
Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung’s Life History
Bunkoet Kitbamrung, Thai for Bunkoet Kitbamrung, first name being Nicholas, was born on Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on January 31 1895 AD, as one of six children, from Joseph Poxang and Agnes Thiang Kitbamrung. He was baptized on February 5 the same year and was give the name Benedict.
He got his education from Hang Xan, Sacred Heart ecclesial institute from 1908 to 1916, then at Penang ecclesial institute from 1920 to 1925. He received his minor orders as sub-diaconate on August 1924 and as diaconate on September 1925. he was ordained priest on January 24 1926 at the Assumption cathedral, in Bangkok by Bishop Rene-Marie-Oseph Perros alongside Father Durand, parish priest in Samut Sing Khram province. he was transferred to Phitsalunok in 1928 where he instructed salesian priests in Thai language and catechesis to their seminarians. He had earlier assisted salesians after their arrival on October 26 1927 in Slam, Thailand and was appointed associate pastor to french priest Mirabel later in 1929.
He was sent to Vietnam in 1930 and then to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand formerly to assist in missions and the latter to helped lapsed Catholics and to re-evangelize the region. He proceeded to evangelize in unexplored lands along the Laos border in 1937.
Nicholas was known to have put up a fight for the freedom of worship and right to profess faith in a Buddhist culture. The Thai government considered him suspicious and accused him of espionage and collaborating with the French, whom they were against.
He went to Saint Joseph’s Church in Ban Han on January 11 1941 to join Father Ambrossio but he could not find him and so he gathered the parishioners to remind them to attend the next mass which he would preside over. Upon ringing the bell the following morning at 8:30 am,he was arrested and prosecuted for rebellion against the Kingdom. He was imprisoned in Bang Khwang prison where he was sentenced for 15 years.
While in prison, he taught catechism to the prisoners and baptized 68 of them. He was mistreated during his imprisonment and due to this contracted tuberculosis. They refused to give him treatment because he was a catholic. It was said that he found solace in reciting the rosary while in prison. He died on January 12 1944, aged 48, as a martyr.
Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung’s Birth
He was born on January 31 1895 AD, in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung’s Death
He died on January 12 1944, aged 48, in Bangkok, Thailand as a martyr from hardships developed during his imprisonment leading to his tuberculosis illness.
Family Background
He was born in a family of 6 children, from Joseph Poxang and Agnes Thiang Kitbamrung.
Education
He studied in Hang Xan, Sacred Heart ecclesial instituite from 1908 to 1916, then at Penang ecclesial intitute from 1920 to 1925.
Profession
He was a missionary and Thai Roman Catholic Priest.
Beatification
He was baetified on March 5 2000 in Vatican City by Pope John Paul II.
Venerated in
He is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church.
Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung’s Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on January 12.
Major Shrines
His major shrine is situated at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok.
Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung’s Patronage
His patronage is in Thailand, Catechists and people suffering from tuberculosis.
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