Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – The growth of vocations to the religious life in Cambodia is a great sign of hope for the local Church. This is being seen, for example, in the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters, who recently celebrated the perpetual vows of the first Cambodian sister into the congregation. Her name is Sr. Mary Tang Sovathanak, age 29. The community of Kompong Cham, Sr. Mary's hometown, rejoiced at the Mass held in thanksgiving, which was attended by faithful from all over the area.
The Church in Cambodia came back to life after 1990, and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians began their first community there 16 years ago. In 2003, their religious province was given the title “Mary, Our Help,” and now includes 5 houses, three in Cambodia and 2 in Myanmar.
The sisters work especially in offering education to poor children and adolescents. They also promote an integral formation through family visits. The religious also work in the parishes and on a diocesan level.
There are currently 30 sisters in the Province, until now all foreigners. However, there is now a large influx of new vocations, promising a constant growth of the institution, thanks to the entrance of locals as well.
The Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians came to southeast Asia after the arrival of the Salesian missionaries (male branch), who have been present in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia since 1927. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2009)
