The Jesuits in Cambodia gathered in Battambang on July 31, 2012, to commemorate the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola – the founder of the Society of Jesus (SJ), a.k.a. the Jesuits. More than twenty (20) Jesuits – priests and regents, together with their volunteers and associates came to celebrate the big feast.
In the afternoon of the feast day, two separate groups met. The Jesuits, as one group convened at the chapel of Pet Yiey Chee Catholic compound to share about their respective ministries. The second group was the volunteers of the Jesuits coming from different countries such as Korea, France, Philippines, Spain, and Belgium. Blas Descallar, who is a member of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) facilitated the sharing of the volunteers. A copy of St. Ignatius’ prayer for generosity was handed to all volunteers to recite as opening prayer. He explained that the prayer will also be a catalyst for the sharing.
In the afternoon of the feast day, two separate groups met. The Jesuits, as one group convened at the chapel of Pet Yiey Chee Catholic compound to share about their respective ministries. The second group was the volunteers of the Jesuits coming from different countries such as Korea, France, Philippines, Spain, and Belgium. Blas Descallar, who is a member of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) facilitated the sharing of the volunteers. A copy of St. Ignatius’ prayer for generosity was handed to all volunteers to recite as opening prayer. He explained that the prayer will also be a catalyst for the sharing.
After the prayer, Blas asked everyone to briefly introduce themselves, where they are from, and to tell in what way each one established linkage to the Jesuits. A second reading of the prayer for generosity followed and everyone was asked to be silent and reflect how the prayer affected them or what words in the prayer struck them. The volunteers then were encouraged to share their experience and try to relate it to the prayer - if they are inspired to do it. A good discussion came out as some really correlated their sharing to the prayer. Many in the group heard about the prayer for the first time despite of them coming from Jesuit schools.
At 5:30pm, procession started from the house of Bishop Kike, who is also a Jesuit, to the Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Before the mass begun, a reading of the life of St. Ignatius took place with some important photos shown to get a better glimpse of the saint’s life story. The mass was concelebrated by more than ten Jesuit (10) priests with two diocesan priests from the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. Fr. Jub Phongphand, SJ – pastor of all Catholic communities in Kompong Thom was the gospel reader and Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ – parish priest of the church in Battambang was the homilist.
Festivity on food and drinks, stories, singing and dancing completed the feast day. Fr. Manoj Ekka, SJ – parish priest of St. Andrew Parish in Nikum was in-charge of the preparation for the liturgy. The person behind the planning of the sharing was Fr. Rajat Purti, SJ – pastor of St. Mary Magdala Parish in Poipet and St. Francis Xavier parish in Svay Sisophon. Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ was the over-all event organizer.
At 5:30pm, procession started from the house of Bishop Kike, who is also a Jesuit, to the Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Before the mass begun, a reading of the life of St. Ignatius took place with some important photos shown to get a better glimpse of the saint’s life story. The mass was concelebrated by more than ten Jesuit (10) priests with two diocesan priests from the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. Fr. Jub Phongphand, SJ – pastor of all Catholic communities in Kompong Thom was the gospel reader and Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ – parish priest of the church in Battambang was the homilist.
Festivity on food and drinks, stories, singing and dancing completed the feast day. Fr. Manoj Ekka, SJ – parish priest of St. Andrew Parish in Nikum was in-charge of the preparation for the liturgy. The person behind the planning of the sharing was Fr. Rajat Purti, SJ – pastor of St. Mary Magdala Parish in Poipet and St. Francis Xavier parish in Svay Sisophon. Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ was the over-all event organizer.
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