Author: Charles Dittmeier

Holy Week: Holy Thursday

This evening we began what the church calls the Triduum, the three days that mark the Last Supper and then the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is really one liturgical celebration spread over three days.

Fr. Pedro Emilio presided at this ceremony.
A major part of the liturgy is the washing of the feet, recognizing Jesus as servant leader.
At the end there was a procession, in silence, with the eucharist to an altar of repose.
The congregation were invited to spend a few minutes in adoration before leaving in silence.

Khmer New Year–Day 3

Most of the people leave the city for the rural provinces during the new year festival but before they go many groups and business set up a traditional display that showcases Cambodia’s rural roots and parts of the culture that still exist, like fish traps, straw hats, woven baskets, etc. They mark the holiday while all the people are gone!

Khmer New Year–Day 2

One of the sure signs that the Khmer New Year is approaching is the appearance of water guns in store displays. Throwing, shooting water is an integral and traditional part of the new year festivities.
Enterprising individuals even display water guns in impromptu sales along the city streets.
Groups of kids gather to ambush passing vehicles, here on Monivong Blvd, a major thoroughfare.
On a smaller street near the deaf office, the group sprays a family passing by on a motorcycle. I had to pass them several times but did not become a target, probably because of my age and being a foreigner and their not knowing how a foreigner would react.

Khmer New Year–Day 1

Everyone going to the provinces for the new year tries to stay there as long as possible but not everyone can get away early. Here are some stragglers packing up and leaving on New Year’s Day itself.
This SUV has a real load, even the family motorcycle to get around with when they arrive in the family’s rural homeland.

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

We began our celebration of Holy Week last night with a liturgy at St. Jude Thaddeus School’s hall which we use on Saturdays. It is not an environment conducive to a good liturgical ambiance but it is what we have.

Fr. Kevin presided at this liturgy which began with a blessing of the palms at the back of the hall.

Fr. Kevin sprinkled the palms before processing to the altar.

Staff Training: Personnel Policy

Our Deaf Development Programme students went home yesterday for an extended break for the Khmer New Year. The staff continued working, with a day of training on the DDP Personnel Policy.

DDP director Sau Soknym (seated at table) updated the staff on the policy.

Chrism Mass

The Catholic Church has an annual liturgy called the chrism mass in which the holy oils are blessed that are used in some sacramental celebrations. The bishops and all the priests gather for this mass and it is also the occasion for the priests to renew their promises of obedience to their bishops. This was the entrance procession for today’s chrism mass at the pastoral center with about 80 priests and about 800 or 900 lay people.

Khmer New Year 3

Dances and games are a big part of Khmer culture, especially at the Khmer New Year. In days not completely gone by, the games at the new year were the main occasions and venues for young men and women to meet and interact in a conservative society.

Khmer New Year 2

When we had all the students and staff together for our DDP Khmer New Year celebration last week, we also said goodbye to two our staff. Here I am listening to Sophary saying goodbye. On my right is Theary, a teacher who is leaving after only a year because of an opportunity for training in Germany.

New Year Celebration

The Khmer New Year isn’t until April 14 but our students go home for a long holiday on 8 April so today we had the DDP new year celebration. Here Mom, one of our houseparents, and Sophy (R), the Education Project manager, watch lunch for 60 people cooking on a charcoal brazier. It was so heavy they were fearful it would break the clay fire pot but all was well.