2 Decades Filled With Grace

628 days will have passed from his ordination to the diaconate, Rev. Oliver Ganas will be ordained priest on May 22, 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Calinan.

As he expressed in his previous interview with Herald, he believes in God’s grace and providence. This belief has not failed him, as he will now enter the priesthood. Perhaps his 9-year pause from the formation has caused others especially his family to think that he will no longer proceed with the religious vocation but alas the Holy Spirit continued to disturb his thirst for service.

Undeniably, everything that happened in his life is grace. When asked, whether he feels that to be ordained to the priesthood also feels that he has ascended in his vocation journey, he said that only his responsibilities or obligations have increased. With these responsibilities, he reminds himself to be grounded and not think that being ordained makes him better than the rest.

“Tinuod sa akong pagpaabot, duna man gyu’y human dimension, mubati man gyud ang kabalaka, kalaay ug kakapoy, pero ang mga maanindot nga butang, muabot sa tawo nga kabalo mupaabot,” these inspiring words from Reverend Oliver is no doubt coming from his experience.

We may attribute this milestone, to Rev. Oliver’s perseverance and patience as he continued with the formation. But for over 20 years, to us, Rev. Oliver’s vocation journey will always be a mystery and that we can only equate it to grace.

Among the many emotions, Rev. Oliver has expressed that the dominant feeling he has, is unworthiness. As he patiently waits for his ordination, he has unceasingly thanked God for the grace, which completed his imperfections.

Among the many things that he can do after the ordination, Rev. Oliver is most excited to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.