Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) - In the spirit of the Asian Missionary Congress of 2006, “Telling Jesus’ story with our lives” was the theme of the celebrations for the close of the Pastoral Year that recently took place in the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, and was attended by over 4,500 Catholics who gathered to share the results of this trajectory of reflection, prayer, study, and formation they have lived over the past 12 months.
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Bishop Emile Destombes, greatly promoted the celebration, as a sign of communion and in order to gather together, in order to offer an opportunity for the various communities, parishes, associations, and religious congregations of the Vicariate to come together, know each other, and share their reflections, with the Word of God as their focus.
The themes that the faithful reflected on were: the expression of the testimony of Christ in one’s own life; the means and capacity to evangelize; and the potentials that should be placed in action in order to transform society through the announcement of the Christian message.
The day’s activities were attended by 37 communities and associations of the Vicariate, with a large participation from priests, religious, laity, and missionaries. “It was a beautiful celebration, in a family spirit, especially the Mass, in which some of the Catholic youth gave their personal testimonies of Christian life,” one of the priests from the Vicariate told Agenzia Fides.
The youth wanted to transmit the joy of being Christian through an organization of songs, dances, and theatrical performances on Jesus’ life, showing Him to be “the center of their lives.” The day has also been a special opportunity for offering a Christian testimony to those who do not know the Gospel. Bishop Destombes, a the close of the festivities, told the thousands of Catholics present, “We should all have a poor man’s heart that gives itself completely to Christ, to live as a witness to His life, within the routine of our daily lives.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/4/2008; righe 28, parole 341)
