Champagnat Day: LaValla Community in Cambodia Comes Together for a Memorable Feast Day

The two LaValla campuses in Takhmao, Cambodia, came together to celebrate the feast day of the Marist Founder, Marcellin Champagnat.

The day began in the newly expanded oratory at the Brothers’ Community House, which was filled with residents and guests. Joining Brothers Brian Kinsella and Allen Sherry and Maryknoll volunteer Kylene Fremling were two novices from Sri Lanka - Felipe Seno from Timor-Leste and Teweia Orea from Kiribati - as well as Zakeu Sarmento, a recently professed Brother from Timor-Leste, two undergraduate interns from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and Fr Kevin Corrigan from Maitland. The expanded community house can now accommodate up to nine people.

Students building the Marcellin walll

Following the morning prayer, the primary school students warmly welcomed the Brothers and visitors with traditional gestures and greetings.

Students from both campuses then gathered for a special liturgy. Teacher Samart captivated the youngest students, aged seven to ten, with an interactive presentation on the life of Marcellin. Accompanied by visual slides, the storytelling brought the Founder’s journey to life. A highlight of the celebration saw three Grade 5 students, dressed as young Brothers in soutanes, construct the first wall of L’Hermitage using 48 building blocks. An unexpected gust of wind toppled the structure, mirroring the challenges faced by Marcellin during the construction of L’Hermitage. The wall was then rebuilt with the help of many hands, and the three students held it together for the remainder of the liturgy.

The Brothers and Staff at LaValla

The celebration continued with the solemn procession of a newly commissioned icon of Asian Marcellin, carried beneath the Bodhi tree. Taizé chants in Khmer, a Gospel reading, prayers of intercession, and further chants created a reflective atmosphere.

As part of the celebration, red roses were presented to the Brothers, followed by the exchange of red cotton blessing wristbands in the local Buddhist tradition. The liturgy concluded with a spirited rendition of “Side by Side Marcellin” sung in English. The arrival of 200 freshly baked buns was greeted with enthusiasm by the students.

Students enjoying their cold treat!

A special lunch of noodles, soup, and refreshments followed. After the customary Friday flag ceremony and national anthem, the day concluded with an early finish at 3:00 pm and another round of applause as ice creams were distributed to all.

Students at the procession for Champagnat Day

The community extends its sincere gratitude to Dr Peter John from Sydney, whose generosity provided all the food and refreshments for the celebration.

Principal Sreynan with Br Brian

The Feast of St Marcellin was a joyful and memorable occasion, highlighting the spirit of family, faith, and community that continues to animate this Star of the Sea Province Marist school serving young Cambodians with physical disabilities.

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-Br Brian Kinsella, Chair, Marist Solidarity Cambodia