Fr Ohchang Simon Kwon SJ pronounced his solemn perpetual Final Vows to the Society of Jesus on 22 October, the memorial of St John Paul II, at the chapel of Metta Karuna Reflection Center, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
It was the last day of the annual retreat. The Mass was presided by Msgr Enrique Figaredo SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang Prefecture, and the homily was given by Fr Indon Francisco Oh SJ, Delegate to the Korean Provincial. Despite the difficulty of traveling in this time of the pandemic, the cozy chapel was filled with parish students, collaborators, Jesuits, and other religious who gathered together to celebrate this special moment in his Jesuit life.
A Jesuit of the Korean Province, Fr Ohchang joined the Society in 2003. A good number of his years as a Jesuit has been devoted to serving the Jesuit Mission in Cambodia. He first came to the country in 2008 as a regent in Banteay Prieb, a vocational training centre and home for people with disabilities. His experience during his Regency made him fall in love with the local people, especially those who are poor and marginalised. He then went to California for theology studies at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley. He was ordained to the priesthood on 3 July 2013 at Daebang-dong Catholic Church, Seoul, Korea.
After his ordination, Fr Ohchang did priestly ministry at Uksu Parish for a while and then gave spiritual direction at the Jesuit retreat center in Suncheon. The following year, Fr Ohchang returned to Prieb So Jesuit Community, Phnom Penh where he served as Minister, and also deepened his Khmer language studies. From 2015 to 2018, he was assigned as Director of Banteay Prieb, where he had done his Regency. He then went for Tertianship in Girisonata, Indonesia. Upon his return, he has been working as Director of Vocation Promotion; at the same time, he accompanies the youth, the future of the Cambodian Church, at St Francis Xavier Parish, Sereisophoan. Fr Ohchang also leads the spiritual committee and gives spiritual direction, especially during this Ignatian Year, for all the members of the Mission.
In his thanksgiving speech, Fr Ohchang recalled the Bible quote from his priesthood ordination card: “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). He expressed his deep gratitude towards his mother, younger sister who is also doing the journey of consecrated life, and other family members through whom God has been showing His love and mercy. At the end of his speech, he said he would continue to carry out his mission by sharing the same love with others in Cambodia.
Yoonho Do SJ is a Korean Jesuit assigned to the Jesuit Mission in Cambodia for his regency. He is currently working for Xavier Jesuit School and Fe y Alegría movement.