austraLasia

?

Shortcut

PrevPrev Article

NextNext Article

Larger Font Smaller Font Up Down Go comment Print Attachment
Views 977 Comment 0

20181022_CAM.jpg


The story of one catechumen in Cambodia


By Fr Jeon Bognam, SDB


Poipet, Cambodia, 22 October 2018 -- On the 92nd World Mission Sunday our 87 Don Bosco boarding students had no special events, indeed among them is only one Catholic girl and a few catechumens. Don Bosco (Private) Technical High School in Poipet has some 26 Catholics and a handful of catechumens scattered among 503 students who are taken care of by one SIHM Sister coming from Siem Reap. How do you become the disciple of Jesus in Cambodia?


We listen to one of our grade 12 students of Don Bosco Technical High School. Samlouth is 18 years old, in the third year of his journey as a catechumen.


Can you share about your family of origin?


I was born in Kampong Cham province, Cherng Prey district, in a family of small shop owners and mine workers After my parents divorced I was living with my stepfather. I have three brothers and one sister.


How did you encounter Don Bosco?


Due to my father, our family moved to another province, and my uncle was told about Don Bosco by one teacher at Don Bosco Poipet. So my mother decided to send me for high school (grade 10-12) to Don Bosco Poipet in 2015.


What makes you joyful at Don Bosco school?


When I came here, it was a totally new experience. I knew only from my teacher about Don Bosco. Before coming here I didn’t know anything about the Catholic religion or about Don Bosco or Mary. Here being educated in Don Bosco boarding school, we have often Mass celebrated, and many friends. We are loved by teachers and the Salesian Fathers. I love the annual activities in our school. My favourite subjects are Khmer language, biology, mathematics (I'm pushed to study hard with Mr Haejong). And we can practise English with the foreign volunteers.


What was your first meeting with Jesus and with the Catholic Church?


The first encounter with Jesus Christ only came about slowly in Don Bosco over the past 3 years. Here we sing many beautiful songs every day with gusto, and have morning and evening prayers together with a good night talk.


I didn't know about Jesus. His person was rather 'strange' but something attracted me to Jesus and I would like to join the Catholic community. Then I asked the Fathers and Sister to help me to learn about the Catholic faith. Now I am following up study of Catholic catechesis for the third year and hopefully I may be baptized next April 2019 (Easter). I don't yet have my personal Bible, I get access only when five of us study with our Thai Sister. I like many stories in the Bible, especially the story narrated by Jesus about the owner of the vineyard and the workers. I start to admire the heart of the Vineyard Owner, our loving God, our Father.


What is your favourite prayer?


Before sleeping we pray to God for protection, we regret our mistakes and ask for help in our activities. I like to pray to Mary.


Before class we pray, and in the chapel we sing, we pray for our benefactors, for our school community. Sister told us not to pray for ourselves, because it’s selfish. So I'm praying to love other people, as we love ourselves.


Which words of Jesus do you treasure in your heart?


I'm deeply touched by the love of Jesus for his enemies: Help us to love other people as ourselves. Help us to love our enemies!


Why would you like to become a Catholic - disciple of Jesus?


Before I was going to the Buddhist pagoda sometimes to pray. Now I'm joining the Mass and listening to the Word of God.


I would like to become a disciple of Jesus, in order to love other people more than myself. I would like reply to God who always loves us!


What is your life dream after graduating from Don Bosco Technical High School?


I would like to become a priest. So far I know only Fr Charles, Fr Roel, one Jesuit priest and our four Salesian priests in Don Bosco. And I watched the movie, his story before his feast. And why would like to become a priest? I met many foreign missionaries who came to help Cambodia, my country and our young people. Maybe we need more Catholic priests in Cambodia, so I would to offer my little help too.


With a prayer for all five young Khmer Salesians, two in practical training (Cambodia - Battambang and Sihakoukville), three postnovices in Sampran (Thailand) and one prenovice in Cebu (Philippines)! Recently Bishop Enrique (Kike) Figaredo, SJ - Apostolic Vicar of Battambang, challenged the Salesians during a recollection talk to capitalize more on the popularity of Don Bosco in Cambodia. Really Don Bosco does attract young people. But we need to do one more step - to invite people to also encounter the Master of Don Bosco, Jesus Christ.




20181022_CAM1.jpg


20181022_CAM2.jpg


20181022_CAM3.jpg


20181022_CAM4.jpg


20181022_CAM5.jpg


Attach

Drag and drop your files here, or Click attach files button.

Maximum File Size : 0MB (Allowed extentsions : *.*)

0 file(s) attached ( / )

  1. 5062(II)_Cambodia prepares for 2019 EAO ASC Formation Workshop

    By Fr. Dominic Suphot, SDB Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 12 April 2019 -- On 7 April 2019 Mr Dominic Pornsawat Lim and myself (EAO regional Delegate for ASC) visited the Salesian Cooperators in Cambodia (Don Bosco Phnom Penh Center). We arrived in ...
    Date2019.04.15 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views937 file
    Read More
  2. 5061(I)_Don Bosco Family Day in Cambodia

    by THA-Cam SC Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 6 April 2019 -- The Cambodian Salesian and FMA Past Pupils Association, celebrated this Saturday the Don Bosco Family Day at the Technical School of Phnom Penh. In 28 years of the presence of Don Bosco in...
    Date2019.04.07 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views1167 file
    Read More
  3. 4990(I)_Mamma Margarita Gathering in Cambodia 2019

    Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 25 January 2018 -- The Feast of Don Bosco started in Cambodia with the visit of Mamma Margarita this year. The visit of the mothers of Br. Roberto Panetto and Fr. Samnang Albeiro Rodas, motivated the invitation of t...
    Date2019.01.25 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views3606 file
    Read More
  4. 4956(I)_"Salesians are our mentors, educators, fathers and friends."

    Brother Sun Youth Camp - Cambodia 2018 By SC Cambodia Delegation Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 16 December 2018 -- Last weekend, 15-16 December, Don Bosco Kep hosted a much anticipated 'Brother Sun' youth camp with 31 young people coming from Sa...
    Date2018.12.21 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views1391 file
    Read More
  5. 4909(I)_Don Bosco Alumni Cambodia are growing in animation and solidarity

    Don Bosco Past Pupils Association Cambodia By Mr Pho Vith, EXDB Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 10 November 2018 -- Next November 22-25 the Don Bosco Alumni (Asia - Oceania Region, that includes both South Asia and EAO regions of the SDB) are prepari...
    Date2018.11.10 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views778 file
    Read More
  6. 4902(I)_What is to proclaim the Good News?

    How to Whisper the Gospel in Cambodia? By Fr. Charles Arun Michael, SDB Missionary animation delegate Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 28 October 2018 -- Mons. Enrique (Kike) Figerado, SJ - the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang was invited to g...
    Date2018.11.05 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views921 file
    Read More
  7. 4898(II)_A simple mirror in the refectory

    Invitation for each Salesian from Cambodia! By Cl. Kong Somony, SDB Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 1 November 2018 -- In our community refectory (Don Bosco Sihanoukville) as in every other Salesian house, we have on the wall the most recent poste...
    Date2018.11.01 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views1163 file
    Read More
  8. 4897_Visitation a time of renewed enthusiasm and energy

    Conclusion of Cambodia Delegation extraordinary visitation By Cl. Kong Somony Sihanoukville, Cambodia -- Last Saturday, 27 October, with the Cambodia Delegation Council (Delegate superior Fr Roel Soto) meeting with Fr Klement in Kep Don Bos...
    Date2018.10.31 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views794 file
    Read More
  9. 4893(I)_Time for God, for the community, for the young

    Interview with Cl. Anthony Hoang, practical trainee in Cambodia By Our Own Correspondent Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 26 October 2018 -- At present there are a few practical trainees in our Region who are being assigned for one or two years away f...
    Date2018.10.26 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views1958 file
    Read More
  10. 4889(I)_Through Don Bosco to Jesus - an easy way?

    The story of one catechumen in Cambodia By Fr Jeon Bognam, SDB Poipet, Cambodia, 22 October 2018 -- On the 92nd World Mission Sunday our 87 Don Bosco boarding students had no special events, indeed among them is only one Catholic girl and a...
    Date2018.10.22 CategoryCamb. Reply0 Views977 file
    Read More
List
Board Pagination Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
/ 9