The internally displaced faithful of Tena Village in the Pekhon Diocese welcomed newly ordained Salesian priest Fr. Freymoe Win with a reception and Thanksgiving Mass on August 22, 2026, at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Fr. Freymoe was ordained a priest by His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo on August 14 at Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin. The Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by the newly ordained priest, joined by Bishop Felice Bahtoo of Pekhon Diocese and 25 priests. Approximately over 800 believers participated in the celebration.

Sharing the Vocation Journey

Before the Mass, the new priest introduced and shared his vocational journey as a religious. He reflected on the meaning of his calling.

“God calls me not because I am perfect and worthy, but just to be a wounded healer,” Fr. Freymoe said.

Citing the inspirational words of Mother Teresa, he inspired the faithful with a message of faithfulness. “God calls each one of us not to be successful but to be faithful,” he said. “To be faithful even in the small things.”

Homily on Vocations

In his homily, Fr. Pasquale Le spoke about the decrease in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

“We all are called to be saints and to be holy,” he said. “But the call to priesthood and consecrated life is a special call from God to carry on the economy of salvation.”

He encouraged the faithful to pray for more vocations to priesthood and religious life. He insisted that young people should not be afraid to embrace the priesthood and consecrated life.

“The Church needs you to be the hope and light of the saddened and the outcasts,” Fr. Pasquale said.

A Milestone for the Diocese

Fr. Freymoe Win is from Lehtun Parish in the Pekhon Diocese. He is the third priest from the diocese to join the Salesian congregation.

Together with his parents and relatives, the Bishop, all the priests, and the faithful in Pekhon Diocese joyfully gave thanks to God for choosing Fr. Freymoe Win as a priest.

A Father’s Joy

The father of the newly ordained priest, himself an internally displaced person, expressed his gratitude with overflowing joy.

“I really thank God for His Goodness and accept my offering,” he said. “I feel that God is good to me more than I expected.”

Despite the crises, hardships, and challenges of displacement, the heart of the father was filled with joy and gratitude on this special day.

Reception and Fellowship

After the Mass, a ceremony of reception was held for the new priest. All the faithful congratulated the new priest with songs. Their voices echoed as if to every corner of the earth.

Following the reception, all joyfully shared the lunch provided by the parents and relatives of the new priest. The meal offered a moment of fellowship and celebration amid the difficulties of displacement.

The celebration in Tena Village stands as a testament to the enduring faith of the Catholic community in Pekhon Diocese, even in the midst of displacement and hardship. For the faithful living in IDP camps, the ordination and welcome of Fr. Freymoe Win brought a moment of joy, hope, and renewed faith.

By RVA Kayan Service