The first Punong Khmer Priest encourages the faithful to persevere in prayer

The first Punong Khmer priest encouraged the faithful to persevere in prayer during his first Mass at the Child Jesus Church of Boeng Tompun in Phnom Penh, July 24.

“When we are patient in prayer, it is an expression of faith. Prayer gives hope," Fr. John the Baptist Bun Hong Prak encouraged.

The priest added that prayer is a conversation with God and building a relationship like a friend. Prayer is a request, a search, a knock, and a response from God, though slow, it will come to fruition one day.

The priest testified to the importance of prayer as a relationship with God with his vocation to the priesthood.

He recalled his vocation, "When I came to Boeung Tompun, I saw the church every day and I wanted to serve God because of the life in the community."

In the Catholic youth center of the Child Jesus Church, he found God’s call with the help of a Spiritual Director.

Father Hong encouraged young people not to hesitate to respond to God's call. And he suggested that parish priests should support and promote vocations.

The priest shared his relationship with God, "I reflect on my life every day;  I want to serve God. Even though sometimes I have lost the way, but the Spirit will always awaken our conscience."

Father Hong was the 10th Khmer priest and was born in Mondulkiri province. He is currently serving in the Ratanakkiri parish in Kampong Cham Prefecture.

Cambodian church has about 20,000 Catholics among 16 million people within 3 jurisdictions of Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Apostolic Prefecture of Kampong Cham, and Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang.

By RVA Khmer Service