Jesuits Thailand

Xavier Hall, Bangkok, is the first house of the Jesuits in Thailand. Today, after more than 50 years at the present site (since 1958), Xavier Hall is the center for a kaleidoscope of activities and ministries.

The oldest work at Xavier Hall is surely the Catholic University Students. In one form or another, and under the leadership of several Jesuits down through our history, this has been one of our major concerns: care and formation for the Catholic students who have the incalculable opportunities of advanced education. (They have their own website, listed under "Jesuit Links", or click here.)

Our main chapel is not a parish, both rather a "public oratory" approved by the archbishop of Bangkok, to provide daily and especially Sunday Mass for those who either live in our area of Bangkok or can easily get to our place. Many come because of the simple but dignified liturgies.

The Center Building is the office space for the Jesuits and our collaborators who work onsite. These include the Catholic University Students chaplains; the Jesuit Social Services (JESS); and the Prison Ministry.

The Jesuit Social Services (JESS) was started by Fr. Alfonso de Juan August 1, 1994, . This work serves a great multitude of people, ranging from children with HIV, orphans, providing occupation-training for young girls, educational scholarships, printing and distributing booksin ethnic languages, etc. (JESS has its own website, listed under "Jesuit Links", or click here.)

The Prison Ministry, began by Fr. Olivier Morin in 1991, has a dedicated team of lay men and women (full-time) who visit the major prisons in Bangkok and vicinity, endeavoring to contact especially those who have no family or friends who can support them emotionally and spiritually. Ms. Vilaiwan Phokthavi is the current director of this ministry.

Jesuit Refugee Service (Asia/Pacific & Thailand) has its regional and country offices and staff located inside Xavier Hall. JRS began in Thailand in 1980, during the horrors of the Khmer genocide, and since that beginning, JRS has expanded to accompany, serve, and advocate for refugees and displaced persons all over the world.  (JRS/AsiaPacific has its own website, listed under "Jesuit Links", or click here.)