Don Bosco Phnom Penh — What was an invitation for one of the first Mass of the three new diocesan priests for the Phnom Penh Vicariate, became an authentic gathering for the Cambodian Salesian Family. Rev. Fr. John Baptist Vy Samnang, Rev. Fr. Antony Thai Ratanak (Bunly) and Rev. Fr. Paul Vin Kann saw the birth of their vocation in a Salesian house from the hand of Fr. Leonardo Ochoa, when he created in 2008 the Bessuco Boys residence at Don Bosco Phnom Penh. The program was to provide a shelter for teenagers from underprivileged families, while they could continue their studies in the Cambodian capital. About 200 male teenagers participated in the 10 years program, getting protection, formation and support. Many of them continued technical educations and others joined university programs to be involved in the Cambodian development and the improvement of the standard of life of their own families.

But among them, four young men listened the call of God to become priests and religious. From the four, three felt the call to join the Cambodian Catholic Church and one is currently in practical training with Don Bosco. The ordination of Fr. Vy Samnang, Fr. Bunly and Fr. Kann last 23rd of September in Phnom Penh, became an authentic sign of synodality for the Cambodian Church, with the huge participation of priests, religious and lay people from every corner of the Southeast Asian kingdom.

Fr. Eugene Xalxo as delegate superior for the Salesian Cambodian Mission, invited the new priests to celebrate a Eucharist at Don Bosco Phnom Penh on Friday 29 of September, during the Feast of the three archangels, as a way to visit the origins of their vocation, an invitation that was accepted with joy and gratefulness. It became an occasion for the presence of members of the Salesian Family and other religious groups and lay peoples. The FMA’s communities, the Salesian Cooperators and the past pupils made presence at 10 AM at the Mary Help of Christian’s chapel. Fr. John Visser and Fr. Leonardo Ochoa, cornerstones of the Salesian Mission, were among the honorable guests of the special ceremony.

During the concelebration of the three new priests, accompanied by Salesian priests, brothers, students and former Bessuco boys, they expressed their feelings of gratitude, the personal history that was supported by the Salesians and their own nearness to Don Bosco in anyway. With great affection, the three new presbyters kissed the hands of their first formator, Fr. Leonardo Ochoa.

Francisco Besucco was a young boy who lived in the 19th century in Italy. He was a student of Don Bosco and was known for his piety, joy, and simplicity. He died at the age of 14 after a short illness. Don Bosco wrote a biography of him and praised him as an example of holiness for the youth. Fr. Leonardo Ochoa, by funding the experience with the young, intended to create in them such a model of goodness for the young and now we can witness the good harvest in three new priests for the Cambodian Catholic Church.

Fr. Bunly, Fr. Vy Samnang and Fr. Kanna with Fr. Leonardo Ochoa and Fr. John Visser.

The SDB with the new priests.