Deacon Ashan prepares for ordination: ‘I’m deeply humbled God has chosen me’

By Josh Low

Excitement is in abundance all around as Deacon Ashan Peiris prepares for his ordination to the priesthood next month.

Having spent the last six months on pastoral placement in the Mersey-Leven Parish following his ordination to the Diaconate last year, Deacon Ashan will be ordained a priest at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on 14 February.

As he looks forward to his ordination, Deacon Ashan reflected on his journey, which began in his native Sri Lanka some eight years ago.

“Becoming a priest actually wasn’t something that I thought about when I was a child,” he explained.

“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 Ashan 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 through challenges that arose.

“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 explained.

“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.

“The priesthood is a pure and precious gift from God, far beyond something that I could ever deserve.

“For me, the priesthood is a constant reflection of God’s love, a love that chooses the weak to do great things in His name.

“As a weak and imperfect person, I’m deeply humbled that God has chosen me for this sacred calling, and I pray that He will give me the strength to be the priest that He has called me to be,” he concluded.

Deacon Ashan will be ordained to the priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on Friday 14 February at 7pm. He will offer his First Mass the next morning at 9.30am, also at St Mary’s Cathedral.

All are welcome to attend and are invited to receive a ‘First Blessing’ following his ordination, as is the custom for newly ordained priests.