Deacon Ashan Peiris is preparing for his ordination to the priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart next month. Source: Hobart Archdiocese.
Having spent the past six months on pastoral placement in Tasmania’s Mersey-Leven Parish following his ordination to the diaconate last year, Deacon Peiris will be ordained on February 14.
As he looks forward to his ordination, Deacon Peiris reflected on his journey, which began in his native Sri Lanka about eight years ago.
“Becoming a priest actually wasn’t something that I thought about when I was a child,” he said.
“My parents – who are very devout and faithful – had always led me in the faith by taking me to Holy Mass every day. We also did our daily family prayers, reciting the Rosary together at home at seven o’clock daily.
“It was through attending the Holy Mass that I fell in love more and more with the Eucharist. It is through the Eucharist, through the Mass, that my life was changed, and how I came to where I am today,” he said.
Deacon Peiris added that it was while praying before the Blessed Sacrament that he first felt a call to the priesthood.
What followed was a journey of discernment and abandonment to God’s Divine Will.
“My discernment wasn’t a single moment, but a journey of encountering Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament, and saying yes to his invitation,” he said.
“The challenges I have encountered have shaped me to be firm in my vocation. I learned to trust in God’s plan even when the road seemed unclear or even with lots of obstacles.
“Looking back, I see those challenges as blessings that helped me to grow closer to Christ and prepared me for the mission ahead as a priest,” he said.
Deacon Peiris will be ordained to the priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on Friday, February 14 at 7pm. He will offer his First Mass the next morning at 9.30am, also at St Mary’s Cathedral.
FULL STORY
Deacon Ashan prepares for ordination: ‘I’m deeply humbled God has chosen me’ (By Josh Low, Hobart Archdiocese)
