Filipino missionary in Cambodia Fr John Lester Tajon SJ, fondly known as Fr Bongbong, pronounced his solemn perpetual Final Vows to the Society of Jesus on 4 February, the Feast St John de Brito, Blessed Rudolf Aquaviva, and the Martyrs of India. The Mass was celebrated at the Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Battambang, Cambodia.
Mgr Enrique Figaredo SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang Prefecture, celebrated the Mass together with Fr In-don Francisco Oh SJ, Delegate of the Korean Provincial, Fr In-gun Kang SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in southern Cambodia, and Fr Gregorius Priyadi SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in northern Cambodia. The homily was given by Fr Jose Hildy “Totet” Banaynal SJ, a fellow Filipino missionary in Cambodia and parish priest of Siem Riep.
In his short homily, Fr Totet explained that through the Final Vows, the Society of Jesus is officially saying to Fr Bongbong, “Now you are one of us.” It means that the Society of Jesus fully supports Fr Bongbong’s desire to offer his whole life to the Lord and be part of the apostolic body of the Jesuits.
In light of the Synod on Synodalility, Fr Totet invited the congregation to pray that Fr Bongbong may always continue to “walk” with the Church as one, on the same path as a good father for all, reflecting the presence of God the True Father in Heaven introduced to us by Jesus.
Indeed, the spirit of synodality filled the atmosphere of the vow Mass, from the elegance shown through the liturgy to the festivities afterwards. One could truly feel the church as one community, walking together in the same path of service to one another.
More than 450 people came to join the celebration. After the Mass, the guests gathered for a simple dinner of rice porridge prepared by the hostel students and parishioners of Battambang Church. Towards the end of the celebration, everyone danced joyfully together.
In his heartfelt remarks during the Mass, Fr Bongbong gave thanks to his family, friends, and the individuals who have supported his vocation, especially his mother, who had joined the Mass virtually with his other family members.
Fr Bongbong entered the Society in 2002. He spent his regency in Cambodia, from 2007 to 2009, working as assistant director to Sr Ath, one of the original members of the Jesuit Mission in Cambodia, at the Battambang Health Center.
After his ordination in 2013, he was missioned back to Cambodia, where he deepened his study of Khmer language before assuming the role of parish priest of Kampong Thom. He remained in Kampong Thom until his Tertianship in Australia in 2018.
After Tertianship he returned to Cambodia, and on February 2019 he was appointed as the Vicar General of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. He is also the parish priest of Chrap Viel parish. He is known to have helped improve the infrastructure of the Prefecture, particularly the parishes and schools.
In the Mass Fr Totet quoted a poem by Emily Dickinson, which echoes Fr Bongbong’s love for the Cambodian people, especially those on the margins.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.” [JesCom Cambodia]