By Fr. Roel Soto, SDB

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 5, 2015 - Our young Delegation of Cambodia was approved by the Rector Major only in 2014. At present we are only 9 confreres in two canonical communities of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Due to this fragile situation we are closely followed by our Regional councillor and also happy to welcome this year two new missionaries sent by the Rector Major. With Cl. Joshua Pilaku from Nigeria and Cl. Michael Gaikwad from India who arrived last months, the total number of the Salesians who belong to Cambodia is already 16 SDB.

During the recent visit (October 29 – November 3) of Fr. Václav we have organized two days gathering in Sihanoukville, started with the Delegation council meeting, continued with the recollection and concluded with the Assembly of all 9 confreres. At the centre of attention was the Road Map 2020 for the growth of our Delegation. We discussed how to strengthen the sense of belonging to the Delegation, how to build up more consistent communities and make all possible for the formation of more Khmer Salesian vocations. We are blessed already with two Khmer postnovices, one novice and two pre-novices. Most of them are our former students or teachers, fruit of our life witness and patient education – evangelization.

Looking back on the past 25 years of Salesian Mission we give thanks to God for all the wonderful works realized for the benefit of the Cambodia Catholic Church and young people of this country. Twelve thousands of Don Bosco Past Pupils of Cambodia who received Don Bosco education from the humble beginning in the Thailand refugee camps up to the fully developed education institutions are the best witnesses. Some of them became first Salesian cooperators and through seven Don Bosco Technical Schools we are able to reach about 2000 young people every day. Through our past pupils Don Bosco’s way and spirit is spread in the society and Church.

EAO regional councilor was able to visit past 5 days our presence in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kep and Battambang schools. At the end he offered us two page supplement to the Rector Major’s Road Map 2020 for our Delegation. But most of all we were happy to start the preparation for the personal welcome of Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime next year, February 28 – March 3. Coming of the Rector Major to Cambodia after 19 years (1997 – first visit of Fr. Juan Vecchi) is a unique opportunity for the growth of Salesian Charism in Cambodia!

Please, pray for us and come to visit us in Cambodia. We are privileged to live in this wonderful country and very well accepted by the Khmer people. We are also happy that also Don Bosco is becoming slowly Khmer. However, we still need more Salesians! We welcome any well intentioned Salesian from other EAO provinces to help us here in Cambodia even just for one or three years!