Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – Advent is a time to open the Scriptures and welcome the living Word in one's own life. This is what is affirmed in the Advent 2008 Pastoral Letter written by Bishop Emile Destombes, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, in accompanying his faithful in preparing for Christmas.
The Vicar uses words from the Final Message from the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, which was celebrated in October at the Vatican: “Dear brothers and sisters, keep the Bible in your houses, read, deepen and understand fully its pages, transform them into prayers and testimony of life, listen to it with love and faith in the liturgy.” Thus, he invites the faithful to live the time of Advent at the light of the Word of God, reading it, meditating on it, celebrating it, and living it every day.
The Good News of “Christ, the Word who was made flesh and inhabited among us,” the Vicar says, “in 2008 lives, along with Saint Paul, to whom this year is dedicated...
The Letter is also an occasion for the community to participate in the advances made by the local Church, spreading awareness on groups like “The Samuel Group” (for girls discerning a religious vocation), “The Emmanuel Group” (for young men discerning the priesthood), and the various pastoral activities dedicated to the youth, students, catechists, the liturgy, and charitable work...all of which is being carried out in the Diocesan House of Phnom Penh, coordinated by Fr. Olivier Schmmitthaeusler.
Bishop Destombes concludes with the following exhortation: “Brothers and Sisters, may this time of Advent help us to prepare the ways of the Lord by diminishing in order to let appear our Hope: Jesus Christ, Son of God!” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/12/2008)
