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Operating day: Sunday - Saturday

Operating time: 09.00 - 17.00

 

Shrine of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Tha Kham, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom. Shrine of Blessed Nicholas, this shrine is where the ashes and waxwork, including the history of Father Nicholas Bunkerd are kept in commemoration of his great contribution to society.

 

Christian ideas are represented through the shrine’s modern architecture and shape with an inner meaning. For example, the cross of Jesus, the symbol of victory over death and sin, bringing life to the world.

 

The altar of the cross has three levels representing “Trinity”: “the Father”, “the Son” and “the Holy Spirit”. The three-leveled roof represented 3 things that Trinity gave us: faith, trust and love. The architectural plan is octagonal, the eight sides representing the eight Beautitudes.

 

Father Nicholas Bunkerd Kritbamrung was born in 1895 in a Christian family in Nakhon Pathom province. Falling in love with missionary work, he was ordained a priest in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangkok and labored in many provinces of Thailand to help the poor.

 

Unfortunately, during Indo-China war, he was accused of spying for the French. In 1940, he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. There he contracted tuberculosis after 3 years of imprisonment.

 

While in Bang Khwang prison, Father Nicholas catechized his fellow prisoners, baptizing 68 of them. Unable to say his breviary, he found his consolation in reciting the rosary.

 

Finally, the Pope John Paul II was informed of his faith in God and his contribution and beatified him on 5 March 2000 at Saint Peter’s Square, Rome, Italy. Thailand’s Roman Catholic Church declared January 12 of every year as commemorative day of Bl. Nicholas Bunkerd. Later, his statue is also established in Nakhon Pathom.