Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler of Phnom Penh commended Catholic nuns serving Cambodian people for over twenty years and offered a blessing to “live more years like turtle.”
Bishop Schmitthaeusler was speaking during the silver jubilee celebration of Missionaries of Charity Sister Lucita, at Monivong House, Phnom Penh city, on December 7.
Bishop Schmitthaeusler stated that those who serve for over twenty years have different experiences, speak two languages and “have two cultures like a turtle.”
The prelate used a turtle as a metaphor to express stability of service to Cambodian people. In many cultures, turtles are depicted as patient and wise creatures. Turtles are an emblem of longevity and stability due to their long lifespan, slow movement, sturdiness, and wrinkled appearance.
“It is so beautiful because we can understand each other and go deeper into the language and culture of others and our own. This can help each other in our mission,” said Bishop Schmitthaeusler of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom-Penh in Cambodia.
Bishop Schmitthaeusler expressed gratitude to God.
“We can be united in the name of Jesus to share our God’s Love. May God bless you more and more and long live like a turtle.
Sister Lucita renewed her commitment in the presence of Bishop Schmitthaeusler, Maryknoll priest Charles Dittmeier, and nuns from her congregation.
“In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and by the Word “I thirst” which is the love of God, I live closely with Jesus for my full life. I will keep chastity, poverty and obedience and heart of serving the poorest of the poor according to the rule of Missionaries of Charity Sisters,” said Sister Luctia while renewing her vows.
Sister Lucita thanked God for always caring for her, as a committed nun, for the last twenty-five years.
“When I looked back at the twenty-five years, I found that God loves me so much and I felt that is the meaning of my vocation,” Sister Lucita told RVA News.
Sister Lucita has served the Church in Cambodia for the past eleven years with the mission of taking care of the orphans, serving the poor family and taking care of the sick.
Missionaries of Charity Sisters came to Cambodia in 1991. In Cambodia, the nuns have two houses in Phnom Penh City and Siem Reap province.
With inputs from Soun Sreyhouch Dalys and Kagna Keo
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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