3926(II)_For the bright future of Don Bosco in Cambodia (RM in EAO-5)
March 4, 2016
Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 4 March 2016 - Last full day of the Rector Majors visit in Cambodia, March 2, was focused on the intense and future oriented meetings with all Salesians of Cambodia and the THA provincial council (Provincial Fr. Paul Prasert and 5 councilors).
Fr. Angel reached Sihanoukville in the afternoon hours of March 1. He received a wonderful welcome by all Salesians, staff and all 600 students of Don Bosco Sihanoukville Technical and Hotel School. During the evening hours he celebrated the Eucharist for the boarding students together with all Cambodia delegation and THA provincial council.
In the morning time of March 2 was a time for a in depth encounter and dialogue with the Rector Major with all 20 present Salesians in the Don Bosco Hotel School. After an initial inspirational and hear-to-heart talk about the beautiful and challenging reality of the world wide Congregation, there was a lively exchange about the future vision of Cambodia Delegation. Main topics of the dialogue pointed on the vocation culture and participatory way of Salesian mission, consolidation of our present communities with a special care about our presences in Battambang Prefecture (Poipet - Battambang) as well on the mutual relationship between the THA province and its Cambodia delegation - Statutes related items. Last but not the least was a concrete concern about the Don Bosco Cambodia Foundation administration as umbrella for all of our works in this country.
The last stop over of the Rector Major on his Cambodian visit was our presence in Kep (2 hrs distance from Sihanoukville) with a vibrant welcome and meaningful interaction of the Rector Major with all Don Bosco students (from Kindergarten up to the Vocation training center with a special section of social communications).
The only survivor and pioneer of Cambodia Salesian mission, Br Roberto Panetto shares his immediate feelings at the end of this visit: Thanks for this beautiful visit to Cambodia Delegation. The visit of Fr. Angel is a real blessing on our new delegation - our young Cambodians, all members of Don Bosco Family seems to me as the refreshment one gets while reading the Letter of Don Bosco from Rome, a reminder 'to be always among young people whenever we can physically and always keeping them present in our heart..'
We give thanks for this second historical visit, 19 years after Fr. Juan E. Vecchi in 1997 and we pray that the inspiring presence and encouragement of the Successor of Don Bosco will strengthen all Salesian Family members in their daily commitment for the good of the youth of Cambodia!
