Mary Help of Youth, Salesian Cooperators and Biodiversity in Cambodia

Phnom Penh — Mgr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, presided the Solemn Mass of the Virgin at the campus of Don Bosco Phnom Penh last Saturday, 25th May with students, teachers and members of the Cambodia Salesian Family. The celebration was special as well for the promise of two Cambodian young men to the Association of the Salesian Cooperators. Martin Sam Sopheak and Johan Bosco Chem Moeun are the new members of the Association of Salesian Cooperators in Cambodia. Sopheak was a former teacher and youth animator in DBTS PNH. Though he now works in the University of Heng Samrin Thbongkhmum, he keeps in touch, visits, participates and helps at DBTS PNH. Moeun, our past pupil, is a boarder assistant and the lay youth animator at DBTS PNH.

The Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians is rooted in the Salesian traditions, since Saint John Bosco was especially devotee of the Virgin, building a shrine in Turin in 1868 and a founding the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a living monument in 1872 with Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello. In Cambodia, a country that is mostly Buddhist, the Salesians and members of the Salesian Family have celebrated the solemnity every 24th of May since 1992. This year marked also the 33rd anniversary of the arrival of the two first Salesians to Cambodia: Br. Roberto Panetto, who was already walking with the Cambodian children and youth at the refugee camps in Thailand since 1988 and Fr. Valter Brigolin.

In Don Bosco Kep the solemnity took place in the evening of 24 and marking the end of 9 nights of meditation prayer known in Latin as Novena (9 nights) in dedication to Mary as a holy Mother, able to listen and support the worries and songs of her children. Each department sat for one hour since 16th May to meditate according to their own religion. The meditation time included two special moments: On 22nd May the International Day for Biological Diversity:

“This year, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is “Be part of the Plan”. This is a call to action to encourage governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. Everyone has a role to play and therefore can be #PartOfThePlan,” said the page of the United Nations.

We think that connecting Faith in our different religions to the worries of our present times such as climate change and environment, is already a sign of diversity and synodality. Virgin Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, is open to the guides of the Holy Spirit to be part of the Plan of Salvation. Assuming our responsibilities with Creation in protecting Mother Earth is also a part of that plan.

The second important moment during the time of nine nights of meditation in an ecumenical diverse environment was the national celebration of the Visak Bochea Day on the same date, 22nd May. While Buddha’s death is remembered on Vesak Bochea Day, it is not a time for mourning. Instead, followers are encouraged to dedicate themselves to his teachings, focusing on improving their minds, leading virtuous lives, and promoting peace for all humankind.