The 15th Catholic Youth Pilgrimage of the Vicariate of Phnom Penh gathered around 300 young people from February 27 to March 1 in Battambang Province, about 300 kilometers west of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
Organized by the Vicariate's Office for Children, Adolescents, and Youth, the three-day event centered on the theme, “Youth and Reconciliation for Peacebuilding.”
A highlight of the pilgrimage was a 20-kilometer walking journey on February 28 from Thmor Koul District to Mary Mother of God Parish (Tumpung), a symbolic act of unity and perseverance.
Mr. Sun Saruon, head of the organizing office, said the annual pilgrimage seeks to help young people understand reconciliation and peacebuilding within their hearts, families, and communities.
“This pilgrimage invites youth to take an active role in building peace in the Church and in society,” he said, noting that the mutual support shown during the physically demanding trek was a visible sign of solidarity and growth. He also encouraged participants to pursue personal development and avoid social vices such as gambling and drugs.
Teachings on Peace and Virtue
The pilgrimage featured two catechetical sessions led by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh.
In the first session, focused on inner peace and reconciliation, the bishop reminded youth that peace begins with a relationship with God. “Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of harmony and a life of relationships filled with the joy of God,” he said. He encouraged them to become “ambassadors of reconciliation” and “ambassadors of peace” in their communities.
In the second session, delivered after part of the walking journey and a lunch break, he reflected on virtues essential for peacebuilding.
He stressed compassion and love as the foundation of Christian life, reminding the youth that God is love and that forgiveness must shape their relationships. He urged humility and service, presenting the Virgin Mary as a model of gentleness and peace. He also called for purity of mind, warning against hatred and division.
“Hate is not the path to building peace,” he said. “As Christians, we build peace through prayer, forgiveness, and reconciliation.”
Youth Reflections
Participants shared how the pilgrimage deepened their understanding of forgiveness and solidarity.
Miss Yat Kanha from the Chamlak community in Tboung Khmum Province admitted that she had previously struggled to forgive others and often held grudges. She said the program helped her realize that peace must begin within the individual, adding that she hopes to share these lessons with other youth in her parish.
Bro. Eng Sarong, SDB, described the walk as a reflection of life’s journey. Despite fatigue and physical pain, he said, the young pilgrims encouraged one another with love. “Catholics will always encounter obstacles, but we must walk with God at all times,” he said.
The pilgrimage concluded with the participation of bishops from Cambodia’s three ecclesiastical jurisdictions, along with priests, religious brothers and sisters, marking a renewed commitment among young Catholics to foster reconciliation and peace in their communities.
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