Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian Salesian Family gathered on Saturday to celebrate the 44th Salesian Family Spirituality Days (SFSD) at the Don Bosco Technical School in the capital, reflecting on the Rector Major’s Strenna message: “Do whatever he tells you – believers, free to serve.”

The event, held on 17 January, brought together representatives from Salesian groups across the country. Fr Roel Soto, SDB, and Sr Leeza John, FMA, animators of the Salesian Family in Cambodia, led the gathering, while Sr. Sarin Eng, FMA, delivered the welcome talk on behalf of Sr Ched Ditching, FMA, Provincial for Cambodia and Myanmar. There was online access to the event for those who cannot be physically present and for more people and students to participate in their own location, organised by Don Bosco Kep’s Media Communication Department. Sr. Chatbamyong Kanlaya, SIHM, and Kim Siya, ADMA president, did the emceeing. Present were the different groups of the Salesian Family: the SDB, FMA, SIHM, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, Past Pupils of SDB and FMA, and the lay mission partners, Missionary volunteers and the youth representatives from different locations. A total of 130 participants.

Reflection and Mission

The day began with a screening of the Strenna presentation by Fr Fabio Attard, the 11th successor of Don Bosco, with Khmer voice dubbing and subtitles by the Social Communication department. Sr Tang Savathanak (Sr Neath), FMA, answered questions and offered questions to the participants for group reflection and sharing. Fr Arun Michael, SDB, delegate for missions, highlighted the significance of the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition.

This year’s Spirituality Day focused on faith and prayer for peace and justice, acknowledging the plight of Cambodian families displaced along the border, including relatives of Don Bosco students. Organisers emphasised that the Salesian mission in Cambodia is rooted in walking alongside the people, preserving national identity, language and culture, while living in obedience to the Gospel message.

Local Voices

Teacher Sok Aun, representing the Salesian Cooperators, in celebration of the 150th of the founding of the Salesian Cooperators explained the importance of the Spirituality Days and the identity and mission of the Salesian Cooperators. He recalled the pioneering role of teacher Sry Thea, the first Cambodian Salesian Cooperator, who in 2004 founded a Salesian Oratory in Takeo province – a seed that later grew into a Catholic parish, and the input to the Cambodian Salesian Cooperators led by Fr Leonard Ochoa.

Faith in a Diverse Society

Cambodia, a predominantly Buddhist nation with around 30,000 Catholics, is home to a wide range of religious traditions including Hinduism, Islam, Taoism and indigenous spiritualities. Most students at Salesian schools are not Christian, a reality the Salesians describe as a source of intercultural richness and inclusivity.

The Cambodian Salesian Family includes the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SIHM), founded in Thailand in 1937 by Salesian Bishop Gaetano Passoti, who joined the rebuilding of the Cambodian Church in the 1990s. Other groups include associations of past pupils of both SDB and FMA schools and indigenous alumni from Don Bosco Kep.

A Seed of Hope

Organisers described the Cambodian Salesian Family as a “seed of hope” in a society marked by cultural diversity, where spirituality is closely linked to ancestral values such as meditation, friendship and family.