Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 14 August 2021 -- On 8 August 2021, Vietnamese Salesian missionary, Cl Le Quoc Bao Paul made his Perpetual Profession at the chapel of Mary Help of Christians, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Presiding at the celebration was Cambodia Delegate-Superior, Fr Roel Soto. After his perpetual profession, LIVE streamed on the FB, Paul shared his vocation journey so far:

How did your missionary vocation com about?

"My missionary vocation started when I was still a boy. My mother told us stories every night about the Vietnamese martyrs, including the stories of the missionaries who came from Europe. My parents taught me to be thankful for them who left their families and country to proclaim the good news to us. Even though I did not understand much about the missionary life, yet I felt interested to be a missionary. For me they are heroes, and I wished to be like them.

When I entered the Salesian seminary, I heard the missionaries who shared their experiences and I was sent to work among the poor people who lived in the mountains. These inspired me to be a missionary. I felt that God invited me to bring the good news to all, not exactly like a hero, but as an instrument in the hand of God.

After a lot of prayers and after consulting my spiritual guide, I knelt down in front of the Blessed Sacrament and told God: "Here I am, Lord, send me and make me an instrument in your hand."

What fills your heart with joy as a Salesian of don Bosco?

"My joy comes from "living the community life". I live together with my fellow confreres who follow Christ and who serve the young according to the spirit of Don Bosco. We share our sorrow and joy, we laugh, we play, we plan and work together. My joy in the Salesian life is living the family spirit."

Cl. Le Quoc Bao Paul was born on 31 December 1990 and made his first religious profession in 2015 and after his postnovitiate formation in Dalat, Vietnam (VIE) started his missionary practical training in Cambodia (THA). He holds a degree in Vietnamese literature, teaching and speaks, English and Khmer. His Salesian life motto is: “In the heart of the Church, I will be love” (according the Patroness of the Missions, St. Therese of Lisieux). At present he continues his specific formation for priesthood at Paranaque, Don Bosco.

We congratulate Paul for this important step on his vocation journey and pray for more vocations in the Cambodia delegation!