Sen Monorom (Cambodia). On 24 October 2025, five days after Canonization and on the day Mary Help of Christians is commemorated, Mary Help of Christians Province (CMY) officially inaugurated a new presence bearing the name of Saint Maria Troncatti in Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri, a province in northeastern Cambodia that borders Vietnam.
The Provincial, Sister Gertrudes Ditching, expressed gratitude to God who through the guidance of the Holy Spirit revealed in many ways His will for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to be sent to this remote region.
Despite the difficulties, with the maternal presence of Mary and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, every step of the process has in fact been delicately carried forward towards completion. With this new foundation, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are currently the first and only religious congregation present in the province of Mondulkiri.
The apostolate of the new Community includes catechesis and education in the faith, support for parish activities, the formation of nursery school teachers, and the management of a hostel for poor young women.
The day of the 24th began early in the morning with the inauguration of the new Animator, Sister Maria Thao, a Vietnamese missionary. Together with Sister Dory Helena Ramirez, a Colombian missionary, and Sister Marinella Xinh, Vietnamese, the first nucleus of the Community was thus formed. The settlement was witnessed by twelve FMA from various communities in Cambodia. Although other Sisters were unable to be physically present, each community contributed generously, offering economic and material support, a source of shared joy, unity, and solidarity in the mission.
Late in the morning, a simple but solemn Eucharistic Celebration marked the official opening of the Community. The celebration was enlivened by the presence of a group of young boarders who had anxiously awaited the arrival of the Sisters, a sign of hope for the growing presence of the Church and the potential for future vocations in this region.
The Mass was presided over by Bishop Pierre Suon Hangly, the first ethnic Khmer bishop in Cambodia since the Khmer Rouge era. He currently holds the position of Coadjutor Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh and Apostolic Administrator of Kompong-Cham Prefecture, to which the Community belongs. Four other priests from the prefecture concelebrated.
Mons. Hangly praised the importance given to the chapel, praising its expansion and decoration. He then underlined the centrality of the Eucharist, and reminded the community and all those present that, through the real presence of the Lord Jesus, they were capable of bringing the love of God to everyone. After the penitential rite, the Bishop went through the assembly to bless the people, and then went out to bless the small house of the Sisters and boarders.
A fraternal lunch followed, generously prepared by a local couple. After the meal, the Sisters, together with the young women, tidied up and prepared for the journey to the city of Phnom Penh. There, at the Provincial House, on 26 October, the FMA of Cambodia gathered to celebrate the feast of Saint Maria Troncatti, a moment of sincere gratitude and renewed commitment to their mission.
The FMA of the CMY Province are grateful to the Provincial and the Provincial Council for their courage, broad vision, and unity in discernment, and to Mother Chiara and the General Council for their unconditional support and encouragement in opening this new chapter of the mission in Cambodia.
Auguri per la nuova missione! Grazie della vostra generosità, il Signore benedica tutte voi e tutti i giovani e le giovani del posto. Santa Maria Troncatti prega per noi!
Tanti auguri per la nuova fondazione “Santa Maria Troncatti”.
Auguri di una feconda missione.
In comunione di preghiera.
Félicitations à vous mes soeurs
Bravoooo✨✨✨✨✨💓
très magnifique
Félicitations et bonne mission chères sœurs
Bravo,bonne mission chères Sœurs.
Félicitation chères soeurs.
We are deeply grateful to God and our Blessed Mother for the new mission presence in this mountain. It is a precious gift from our new saint, St. Maria Troncatti, who desires to be present with the people of this region, guiding them as they fervently seek God’s will for their land. A heartfelt thank you to dear Sr. Ched and all the sisters from Cambodia, who have listened to the voice of the Church and have given your very best for this mission. Coraggio!
St. Mary Mazzarello and St. Maria Troncatti pray for us.