by Melani Manel Perera

Over a year ago, the 25-year-old Buddhist woman married Sagara, a Catholic, who has never asked her to convert. They married in a mixed ceremony in order not to hurt her parents. Today, she is studying the catechism and is getting ready for her baptism.

Embilipitiya (AsiaNews) - A deep faith in God, love for one's neighbours and understanding of others are  the "good qualities" that Rasanka Dilani, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan Buddhist woman, found irresistible in Sagara, a Catholic man, who "brought me closer to the Lord." On 13 June 2012, they became husband and wife in a mixed ceremony; now though, the young woman is studying to become a Catholic.

The married couple lives in Udagama, near Embilipitiya (Southern Province). Rasanka studied art whilst her husband is a graduate of Ruhunu University in Matara.

When they decided to get married, they chose a mixed ceremony so as not to hurt her parents. "I got married as they wanted, I did not want to displease them with my choice. Sagara too did not want to create an unpleasant situation." This, she said, "has allowed my family to appreciate easily my boyfriend's good heart and his love for me."

Since then, Rasanka has decided to become Catholic. "I will never forget," she noted, "that Sagara never tried to force me to convert. Listening and talking to him, I realised that he wished to consecrate our married life in a single faith, but he never said anything explicit about it. I always liked this in him."

Rasanka is now studying the catechism, and is learning about Christianity, the traditional prayers, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"Every morning," she said, "I light a candle for Jesus, and every night I pray with my mother-in-law. Thank God for the gift he gave me, for my husband's love! I am counting the days that separate me from my baptism."

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