Cambodia – Young Salesian Missionaries of Asia and Oceania Gather for the Quinquennium Meeting

Participants and Organization

Guided by Fr. Jorge Mario Crisafulli SDB, General Councillor for the Missions, together with Fr. Eric Mirura SDB and Fr. Pavel Ženíšek SDB from the Missions Sector, eleven Salesians of Don Bosco sent as missionaries over the past five years met in Sihanoukville at the “Don Bosco” work. This was the first of four regional meetings scheduled for the first half of 2026.

The following circumscriptions were represented: the Australia–Pacific Province (AUL); the presence in Malaysia (belonging to the North Philippines Province – FIN); the Mongolia Delegation (of the South Korea Province – KOR); the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Vice-Province (PGS); the Cambodia Delegation (part of the Thailand Province – THA); and the presence in Nepal (of the India-Calcutta Province – INC).

The participating missionaries came from eight countries: Croatia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Madagascar, the Republic of the Congo, and Thailand.

Additional Contributions

Also present were Fr. Arun Charles SDB, Indian missionary in Cambodia and Coordinator for Missionary Animation (CORAM) for the East Asia-Oceania Region, together with the entire staff of the “Don Bosco Technical & Hotel School”; Fr. Joseph Sunny Palamthattel SDB, CORAM for South Asia; Raymond Callo SDB from the Formation Sector; Fr. Alfred Maravilla, former General Councillor for the Missions in the previous six-year term and now missionary in Vanuatu; and Fr. William Mathews SDB, Regional Councillor for East Asia-Oceania.

Themes and Reflections

Numerous themes were addressed in a style of open and frank dialogue, moderated by the speakers—including Fr. Joseph Kunle SDB, a Nigerian Salesian currently in the Philippines who joined online—and enriched by moments of fraternity and informality that enhanced the entire experience.

“Mission is not sustained by activism, but by interiority.” With these words, Fr. Crisafulli opened the meeting, clarifying that it would be a personal spiritual journey. The missionaries delved deeply into their own experiences, reflecting on pastoral discernment in mission lands, intercultural dialogue, culture shock, and many dynamics that touch the daily life of every missionary.

A Broader Process of Renewal

The Cambodia meeting of quinquennium missionaries from the South Asia and East Asia-Oceania Regions forms part of a broader process of rethinking discernment, formation, and accompaniment of Salesian missionaries ad gentes.

During these same days, missionaries from the two African Regions are meeting in Nairobi, Kenya; in April, European missionaries will gather in Genzano, Italy; and in May, missionaries from America will meet in Montevideo, Uruguay.