Final vows of Fr Jose Hildy "Totet" Banaynal (PHI), Deacon Jub‘s coming ordination and new novices.

Fr Jose Hildy "Totet" Banaynal (PHI) made his Final Vows on December 12 at the parish church in Battambang to Fr Gabriel Je, Delegate of the Korea Provincial (Cambodia Mission), with Fr Jojo Magadia, Provincial of the Philippines, beside him.

The Vows were made during the mass concelebrated by the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh Msgr Emile Destombes, MEP, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang Msgr Figaredo Enrique (CAS), Apostolic Prefect of Kompong Cham Msgr Antonysamy Susairaj, MEP, Jesuits and other priests from all over Cambodia.

Fr Totet made his Final Vows a special remembrance of his dear friend, Richie Fernando (PHI) by wearing a 1994 T-shirt with Richie’s portrait underneath his vestments. A true loyal friend, Fr Totet silently "shared" the Final Vows with Richie, when he pronounced them. The saying "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians" applies to this Jesuit mission – for the death of Regent Richie Fernando in 1996, in his selfless shielding of an upset student from a grenade explosion at Banteay Prieb, has enriched the Jesuits missioned here.

Deacon Joseph "Jub" Phongphand Phokthavi (KAM) will be ordained to the Order of Priesthood. This happy and special occasion of the ordination of the first Jesuit priest of the Cambodia mission of the Society of Jesus will take place at the Battambang Church on Sunday, May 24 at mass at 9.30 am. Bishop Emile Destombes will preside at the mass and the ordination of Deacon Jub. Please pray for Deacon Jub as he prepares for his ordination to the Priesthood.

Myanmar will be welcoming six new novices this coming April 30. They will be joined by two new novices from Thailand, Theerasap "Nui" Lyysaem and Apisak "Sak" Praithongkeeree.