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| Fr Emile Colombet, priest for Assumption Cathedral 1875-1932 |
An incredible character behind this great edifice is Fr Emile Colombet, who had the vision for such a cathedral church, seeing it consecrated in 1919. A new church was needed at that time for the expanding faith community. Fr Colombet wanted to make any new cathedral a true statement of faith but he met opposition as his plans were seen as costing too much money. So he soldiered on and stuck to his vision and as a result we have what we have today, thanks to this great man and his endurance in the history of the local church.
As we celebrate also this year 350 years of the Thai Church, I am reading its history which I am finding just fascinating and amazing, and for such a small church so much happened.
It was established in 1669 as a French missionary church and for its first 250 years it was a church run by the Paris Foreign Mission Society. Over the years, it was not great numbers but significant numbers of French missionary priests of whom many were learned and gifted men. They came here as young priests and stayed here for the rest of their lives, sacrificing much and working hard within a foreign and difficult environment. Think about it, for them coming here from France back then would be like us facing life on the moon.
Fr Colombet was one in this line of dedicated men, and what a man, being 57 years at the cathedral, establishing a school, being concerned for the development of the people and their needs, building a new and needed cathedral and much more. He had a vision, remained true to it, lived it and saw it through to fruition. What he saw as could be became reality for him in some real way. What he left was a testament of faith that stands until today.
Happy 100th birthday, Assumption cathedral!
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