Fr Rosan Mathew

Father Rosan Mathew became the newest priest in Broken Bay in early March 2025, ending a nearly two-decade long vocational journey to the priesthood.

Fr Rosan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Broken Bay by Bishop Anthony Randazzo, on 19 March 2025, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara.

Fr Rosan has certainly shown fidelity to God’s calling, seeking him out over the course of his life despite following many different paths to reach ordination.

Fr Rosan was born in Ponkunnam, Kerala in 1990. He has one brother, Mark.

His call to a priestly vocation came early. He first discerned with the Vincentian Congregation, a clerical society in the Syro-Malabar Church, entering the society in 2006, aged just 15 and attending minor seminary. He remained with them until early 2013, when he felt the call to pursue his vocation elsewhere.

He joined the Missionaries of God’s Love, an Australian congregation established in Canberra in 1986, in January 2013. He remained with them for six months before joining the Diocese of Wagga Wagga in February 2014 and beginning his formation for the priesthood.

He completed his studies at Vianney College, Wagga Wagga in December 2020 and in early 2021, joined the Diocese of Broken Bay, hoping to serve the People of God here. He was initially on placement at Lower North Shore Parish before moving to Hornsby Cathedral Parish in January 2022. During his time at Hornsby, he would often assist as Master of Ceremonies.

In January 2024, he was moved to The Entrance Parish for the final stage of his placement.

He was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Broken Bay on 21 September 2024 by Bishop Anthony at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, The Entrance. He served here during the entirety of his diaconal ministry.

His ordination marks the final step on a nearly two-decade journey but is just the beginning of his priestly ministry.

In his thanksgiving speech, Fr Rosan acknowledged it had been a long journey to reach ordination.

"My journey to the priesthood wasn't that easy," he said.

"The path to priesthood is not meant to be smooth or easy. It mirrors Christ’s own journey—one marked by misunderstanding, rejection, and sacrifice. Yet, it is through such experiences that we are united more closely with Him."

He said the nearly two decades of discernment and formation had given him the deep and abiding qualities he needed to carry out his priestly ministry.

"My journey has taught me patience, humility, and perseverance. They have driven me deeper into prayer and strengthened my resolve to follow God’s call. You have, perhaps unknowingly, become instruments of grace in my life," he said.

"You have reminded me to cling to God’s will above all else, to respond with love in the face of difficulty, and to serve with a heart purified by challenges."