It was very timely for the six regents in the Cambodia Mission, Cahyo Christanto (IDO), John Kim Du-huyn (KOR), Bayu Marsetyawan (IDO), Matthew Tan (MAS), John-Lester Tajon (PHI) and Kwon Oh-chang (KOR), to have their regents’ meeting at CROAP at Pursat from 17 – 18 October, where they shared the challenges faced and graces received since their last meeting in June.

The young priests of the mission, Manoj Ekka (RAN), Gabriel Lamug-nanawa (PHI), Oh In-don (KOR), Lee Kyung-yong (KOR) and Kim Tae-jin (KOR), held their young priests’ meeting at Kampong Som, on October 22, a day before the start of the annual retreat.

Dwelling deeper into GC35

Sixteen Jesuits joined by seven collaborators of Jesuit Service Cambodia were brought through the GC35 at their annual retreat from October 23 – November 1 at the retreat house at the Kampong Som Church. Fr Danny Huang (PHI), the new Assistant of Father General for EAO directed the retreat. The Jesuit priests who celebrated the daily Eucharist and gave the homily picked up from the points given by Fr Danny. Most shared deeply of themselves.

Fr Gabby Lamug-nañawa (PHI), experiencing the mid-life much like this Jesuit mission is experiencing a mid-life transition, decided to follow in availability and signed up for the first Eucharist slot. Fr Lee Kyung-yong (KOR) brought much laughter when he shared that it was in following availability, like St Ignatius leaving his decision to his mule, when he too "made" his decision by a default, that is he would offer to celebrate the Eucharist if no priest had signed up by that morning itself, and he then spent the whole day pondering on his homily. Fr Gregorius Priyadi (IDO) drew the image that frontier could be even the work of Bro Matthew Tan (MAS) piecing together the records of the Cambodia mission, where few written records existed, whereas his own frontier was venturing to meet and help the landmine survivors in the north.

Fr Totet Banaynal (PHI), who was making this his retreat before his Final Vows in December, brought the group through as gratitude–filled remembrance of those who had passed through this mission, including Fr Nico (Father General Nicolas), with a slide presentation of photographs celebrating the people of this Cambodia mission.

The Renewal of Vows by the Jesuits was more deeply felt because of Fr Danny’s vivid sharing of the deep Consolation experienced by the delegates at their meeting with the Holy Father. It was an experience of the same grace that was given when St Ignatius and the first Jesuits met with the Holy Father and made themselves available to be sent on mission. Their Consolation was a grace of renewal of the Fire that ignited St Ignatius and the First Companions – and set us (Jesuits) forth with renewed vigor into the frontier, by the Vicar of Christ.

It leaves us now, having pondered the GC35, to enter the Fifth Week and put the reflections and graces received during the retreat into our lives and mission in Cambodia, and meeting the frontier within and outside us.

(Contributor: Sch Matthew Tan)