3 Volume 35 No. 1 | Autumn 2025 Society Matters New missionary priest urged to ‘love unceasingly’ and serve all The SVD Australia Province rang out with joy last year when Peter Wang SVD was ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne in a celebration filled with faith, culture, love, family and mission. Peter, who was born and raised in China, was ordained by Broome Bishop Tim Norton SVD on November 22, in a Mass marked by poignant moments, including Peter being clothed in his priestly vestments by his parents and his brother Andrew, also an SVD priest, and the inspiration for Peter’s vocation. The first reading was read by Peter’s sister, who is also a religious sister, and the order of service was shown on the screen in two languages, to include all of those present as well as people watching from overseas. In his homily, Bishop Tim emphasised the theme of second chances and true leadership being rooted in love and service. The Gospel reading chosen by Peter was from John 21, where Jesus forgives Peter for denying Him and restores their relationship, highlighting God’s continuous forgiveness. Bishop Tim urged Peter to look to the people of God to learn from them about humility, faith, love and service. “Peter, today, as we ordain you a priest, we pray that you will be a ‘Second-Chancer’, who, whatever ministry you are in, you will just love unceasingly.” At the end of the Ordination Mass, in his thanksgiving speech, Peter said that many people had told him that his ordination would be an emotional occasion. “It is. It’s true, overwhelming and beautiful,” he said. Peter began by giving thanks to God for the gift of his vocation, as well as to Bishop Tim for his example “to serve God’s people with humility and love”. He thanked his parents and siblings for their unconditional love, especially throughout his vocation journey, paying special tribute to their efforts in coming from China to be present at the Ordination Mass. “To my brother, Andrew, who vested me today, that moment will stay in my heart forever. My vocation began through my brother and now to stand beside you as a brother priest is one of God’s greatest surprises and gifts. I thank you for guiding me in my vocation. I would not be here without your encouragement,” he said. Peter thanked both the outgoing Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD and the incoming Provincial, Fr Boni Buahendri SVD, along with their respective provincial councils, his formators and the many people who helped in his academic studies and missionary formation. He paid special tribute to the parish of St Anthony’s Noble Park, where he has been serving as deacon for the past eight months. Finally, Peter, who has been assigned to the Australia Province, concluded his remarks, speaking in Mandarin to his parents, family and friends. The Ordination Mass was followed by a celebration in the parish hall. Meanwhile, three young men from the SVD’s Dorish Maru College – Gusty Siga, Krisna Papalesa, and Khanh Ngoc Nguyen - will take their perpetual vows and be ordained deacons in Melbourne in March. Volume 36 No. 1 | Autumn 2026
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