A brief history

The Marist Mission in Ranong originated several years ago in the Philippines. The Marists in the Philippines searched for places where they might be able to assist other peoples in Asia. Burma seemed in special need of assistance.

A small group of four Marists went to Burma to try to work there. They spent a year and a half studying the language and then going to live and work among the Kachin people in Banmaw, a town in the north-eastern diocese of Myitkyina. After a year and a half it became impossible to renew visas. Therefore, the place of the mission, whilst keeping its focus, changed to the border town of Ranong, which has a majority of its population from Burma.