Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 28 February 2016 - The first day of the Cambodia visit of Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB and 10th successor of Don Bosco on Sunday, 28th February 2016 was deeply characterized by thanksgiving and youthful dynamism.
From the arrival to Don Bosco Technical School in Phnom Penh until late night were present about 1200 youth from all Don Bosco presences in Cambodia, complete presence of all 7 Salesian Family groups - SDB, FMA, SIHM sisters, Don Bosco Past Pupils, Mary Help of Christians Past pupils, Salesian Cooperators and VDB. Indeed the family spirit was felt during the whole day in many ways - with 100 kg of ice-cream (made and distributed to all by the Don Bosco Sihanoukville community), with thousands of pictures taken with Fr.Ángel (according him this is the most passionate country for picture taking among the 41 visited during past two years), through the cultural sharing from all corners of Cambodia.
The Rector Major opened the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Salesians in Cambodia (May 24,1991-2016). Cultural presentation, official opening, gifts and Eucharist presided by the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh Bishop Olivier Smitthauesler, MEP with presence of all SDB priests belonging to Cambodia delegation and Bishops Vicar Fr. Mario Ghezzi, PIME (Don Bosco Past Pupils from Italy, Sesto San Giovanni) was the official translator for the Rector Major in the opening ceremony.
Salesian Family Past Pupils numbers more than 25.000! There are more then 12.000 graduates of 9 vocational and technical schools, there are 3500 graduates of 5 primary schools, another 3 newly opened secondary schools with hundreds of students. A special project of Don Bosco Children Fund has so far assisted more than 6200 children in 17 provinces of Cambodia with nutrition, health and scholarships program.
Some of the Salesian Family past pupils are becoming first members of SDB, FMA, SIHM - including two SDB postnovices, 1 novice and 2 prenovices. Among the 9 seminarians of the Vicariate there are 4 former Besucco Boys (Salesian Aspirantate based in DBTS Phnom Penh) and there are few hundreds of our Past Pupils who have asked the way of Jesus disciples as catechumens. Last but not the least, Don Bosco Past Pupils are appreciated around Cambodia for their holistic human formation, responsibility and trust.
Yes, during past 25 years Don Bosco did in Cambodia miracles, but the most meaningful works are his Past Pupils - young men and women who are becoming honest citizens, people full of faith and light in Cambodian society and Church.
