Fifteen aspirants knock church door to become Catholics in Cambodia.

In a symbolic gesture,  15 adult candidates stood at the closed church door, wearing black and white clothes requesting to seek baptism and be part of the Christian community.

A priest opened the church door and asked: What can I help you?  The candidate responded, “I ask to enter the church.”

The ceremony was held at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Phnom Penh city on February 20.

According to Cambodian Catechumen for Adult, candidates wishing to embrace the Catholic faith must receive catechism for about two years to learn about the Catholic faith, Biblical beliefs, traditions, rituals and participate in church activities in society.

36-year-old Som Loka told RVA News that he knows the church by his relative and present work.

Loka is from Pailin province, which borders Thailand, about 367 Km northwest of Phnom Penhn. He is working at Phnom Penh Thmey Pastoral center.

“I see a good relationship of the Catholic Church in the community as well as the church’s charity activities to help the poor and Cambodian society,” Som Loka said.

Loka has been involved in church activities, especially charity events.

“I am very happy and excited, even though I can only help with my physical power, but I am excited to see that the Church has a generous heart for our brothers and sisters,” says Som Loka.

Loka has strong support from his family to undertake the catechumenate program.

Another candidate, Vorn Champa, has been in the program for a year. "Catholics give faith and love to each other and help each other," Champa said.

Currently, Von Champa works at Don Bosco Teuk Thla School. For Champa to shift from Buddhism to Christianity was not an easy journey as she had to face opposition from family for her new religion.

Champa "They (her parents) are very strong Buddhists. Because we were born in Buddhism... so my parents disagree with me for converting ... because they think that Christianity is a foreign religion."

However, the young woman overcame her parents' perception: I have overcome because of my faith, I love, and I trust in Jesus Christ."

Von Champa expressed, "I will show them that even though I am a Catholic, Catholic is a good person in society, helps society and respects parents, and does many good deeds for family and community and herself. "

Father Peter Soun Hangly invited the 15 candidates to stand beside the altar and in front of the Catholic community to give up the evil which does not guide the worshiper to God.  The candidates responded: We have decided to give them up.

“I make a sign of the cross on your ears so you can hear the Word of God, on the eyes to see the light of God, on the lips to speak out God's Word, On the chest is to have Christ in you by faith, on the shoulder is accepting the yoke of Christ with joy,” The priest said.