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In March, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI surprised the Catholic world by announcing a Year of the Priest to be celebrated, beginning on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which was also the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, France, who is the patron of diocesan priests. In Phnom Penh the celebration was held at the major seminary where relics of St. John Vianney were displayed before the ceremony. The celebration of the special year has two objectives: to reinvigorate the world's priests and promote vocations, and to work for priests' spiritual perfection after years of scandal caused by the actions of a few priests. |
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| Before the ceremony began on a rainy Friday evening, Fr. Bruno Cosme, MEP, the rector of St. John Vianney Major Seminary, spoke to the small congregation of the importance of St. John and of the meaning of the celebration of the Year of the Priest. |  |
| Bishop Émile Destombes was the presider for this liturgy for about 100 Catholic faithful who came after work for the special occasion. |  |
| At the end of the mass, Bishop Émile placed flowers on the relics of the saint as a mark of respect. |  |
| To end the evening ceremony, the relics of St. John Vianney were carried upstairs to the seminary chapel where they were placed in the sanctuary for veneration. |  |