The SVD Australia Province celebrated joyfully recently when Shouzheng Peter Wang SVD professed his perpetual vows as a Divine Word Missionary and was ordained to the diaconate.

As Peter made his final profession, in the presence of his family who had travelled from China, along with confreres and friends, he was joined by SVD seminarians from Melbourne’s Dorish Maru College who renewed their temporary vows.

Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD, said the occasion, which took place at St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill, on Saturday, March 15, was an important time for each of the young men.

“Each of them has decided to go forward with their own formation as they continue to deeply listen to the movement of the Spirit and the work of the Divine Word in their unique journey,” said Fr Rass.

Fr Rass acknowledged the key role of families in fostering religious vocations, saying that like the prophet Eli with Samuel (1 Samuel 3:7-11), they can help their children to listen for God’s voice in their life.”

He also referred to the Gospel reading where Jesus invites the fisherman Andrew and another disciple to come and see’ where he lives, an encounter which prompts him to share the Good News with his brother, Peter.

“In response to Jesus’ invitation to come and see, they went, they saw where he was staying and they chose to stay,” he said. “This is what is going on with our seminarians today. They decided to stay, as they have discovered something of the sense of God in their listening to the Holy Spirit.”

Fr Rass urged them to make their own the words of Samuel: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

“Pope Francis’ dream for a Synodal Church is for a listening Catholic Church, listening together and listening to the Holy Spirit in each other, in Scripture and in our human experiences, listening to the groaning of the Holy Spirit and of the world. And then together, to discern the path forward.”

After professing his final vows as a Divine Word Missionary, Peter thanked all those who had accompanied him on his vocational journey.

“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it,” he said.

“Today is the day when I am filled with great joy and gratitude. A day to celebrate God’s abundant mercy, kindness and love throughout my 11 years of vocational journey.”

He thanked his parents and siblings for their “unconditional love and support”, along with Fr Rass and the Provincial Council, his SVD confreres, SSPS sisters, the choir and all who had contributed to making the final vows ceremony such a beautiful, multicultural occasion.

Peter finished by speaking in Chinese to his family and friends.

Hs brother, Fr Shouzhao Andrew Wang SVD, also spoke words of thanksgiving on behalf of his family, giving an account of how Peter had followed his own vocation to become a missionary priest.

The following day, Peter was ordained to the diaconate by Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Tony Ireland at Our Lady of China Catholic Church in Box Hill.

In his homily, Bishop Ireland said the gospel account of the Transfiguration of the Lord gave insights into the missionary calling.

“Today we stand together at the threshold of transformation. Like the disciples on the mountain at the Transfiguration, we will witness a moment of divine radiance,” he said.

“There on that mountain long ago, Peter, James and John, saw Christ in his glory, a glimpse of the deeper reality that lies beneath our human experience. In awe, Peter wanted to remain in that moment, to build tents and to dwell in the splendour of the Lord’s presence. But Jesus led them back down the mountain because their call was not to remain in glory but to bring the light of that glory into the world.

“Peter, today you are called into a new way of life, ordained to proclaim the gospel, to serve at the altar, and to minister to those in need. Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, the Church confirms what God has already placed in your heart, a deeper and abiding call to serve Christ and his people.”

Bishop Ireland noted that Peter’s final profession of vows and ordination to the diaconate was taking place during the 150^th Anniversary Year of the Society of the Divine Word.

“(Yesterday) you affirmed your commitment to the charism of St Arnold Janssen to proclaim the Word of God to all people,” he said.

“The Society calls you to be a bridge between cultures, a messenger of hope and a servant of the gospel. Today, through the sacrament of Holy Orders this mission is deepened and strengthened.”

Bishop Ireland said Peter had told him that he was inspired by the great missionary to China, St Joseph Freinademetz SVD.

“St Joseph Freinademetz did not merely preach the gospel but he became one with the people he served, embracing their language, their culture and their lives and he never went back to Austria,” he said.

“Shouzheng has taken this missionary spirit to heart. He no longer sees himself as his own but belonging to God through the constitutions of the Society of the Divine Word.

“This time as a transitional deacon is not just a step towards the priesthood, it is a sacred period of service, a preparation to become not just a priest but a missionary priest, carrying the gospel to those who hunger for God’s love.

“So Shouzheng Peter, may you always walk in the light of Christ, sustained by prayer, strengthened by the eucharist and inspired by the witness of St Arnold Janssen your Society’s founder and St Joseph Frienademetz who he sent forth as the great missionary to China.

“May your time as a deacon be a living gospel, a beacon of Christ’s love and a sign of Christ’s presence.”

After the homily, the Rite of Ordination took place, followed by celebration of the eucharist.   

At the conclusion, Deacon Peter once more gave thanks to God, his family, and the SVD, and said that everyone in attendance would receive a small gift featuring the figure of the Jubilee of Hope mascot, Luce, along with a tag bearing Peter’s name.

“I ask that you continue journeying with me with your unconditional love, support, and prayers as I continue carrying out God’s will and serving God’s people,” he said.

During the final vows celebration, Fr Rass shared with great joy that the SVD Generalate in Rome has announced that Peter’s first missionary assignment will be to the Australia Province.