30 Years of Missionary Presence in Cambodia

On Saturday, March 22, the missionary community in Cambodia gathered with joy and gratitude to celebrate the Thanksgiving Mass for the 30th anniversary of the presence of the Quebec Foreign Mission Society (abbreviated "SME" from its name in French) in the country. This heartfelt event took place at St. Peter and St. Paul Parish, at the PPT Pastoral Center in Phnom Penh, and was presided over by Fr. Ergete Tesfaye, p.m.é, Superior General of the SME.

Under the theme inspired by the passage of the disciples of Emmaus, attendees remembered with gratitude the faces and smiles of so many who have walked this missionary journey with the SME. "We recognize You in the breaking of the bread and give You thanks, O Lord," was the expression that resonated during the celebration, highlighting the experience of faith and community lived throughout these thirty years of mission.

During the Eucharist, the 25th anniversary of the association of Lay Missionary Beatriz Millena, originally from the Philippines, was also commemorated. She has dedicated her life to missionary service with devotion and commitment. Her testimony of faith and perseverance has been an inspiration to many in the community.

The celebration brought together missionaries, priests, laypeople, and members of the local community, who expressed their gratitude for the journey taken and renewed their commitment to the evangelizing mission in Cambodia. It was a moment of encounter, reflection, and thanksgiving, reminding everyone that the mission remains alive and continues to grow.

With hope and trust in the future, the SME reaffirms its commitment to continue proclaiming the Gospel and accompanying communities in Cambodia, faithful to the charism that has guided its mission for over a century in various parts of the world.