Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Praised be Jesus Christ! I promised many of you that I would keep you updated on my journey in the seminary. I hope this blog serves as a forum for musings and prayer. It is good, as Christian pilgrims, to share our experiences with one another. I want to thank you in advance for your continued prayers. Know of mine for you!
So what is this all about? Jack Kelly? A Priest? Believe me, this question is the first thing that crosses my mind in the morning (and has been for the past eight months). This Saturday, I begin to answer this question as my official formation begins at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.
The motto of the Josephinum (aka "Brosephinum" aka "the Josh") is Forming Renaissance Priests for the New Evangelization. I like this. I like it a lot. In short, a Catholic renewal begins with well-rounded men willing to give themselves completely to the service of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the people of God. Faith is infectious. Take the guy shaving. Blessed Pope John Paul II was the quintessential "renaissance priest." I speak for many seminarians in my generation when I claim JPII as the model and motivation for my discernment of the priesthood. Karol was an athlete, thespian, academic, and artist. As Bishop of Rome, the Renaissance City (yeah Florence, I said it), he used the world as his palette and the Word of God as his paint brush. He conducted a masterful, charismatic symphony of evangelization and charity. I desire to be a "Renaissance Priest" following his example. The holistic formation offered by PCJ represents an incredible opportunity. I am so ready to get started.
The motto of the Josephinum (aka "Brosephinum" aka "the Josh") is Forming Renaissance Priests for the New Evangelization. I like this. I like it a lot. In short, a Catholic renewal begins with well-rounded men willing to give themselves completely to the service of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the people of God. Faith is infectious. Take the guy shaving. Blessed Pope John Paul II was the quintessential "renaissance priest." I speak for many seminarians in my generation when I claim JPII as the model and motivation for my discernment of the priesthood. Karol was an athlete, thespian, academic, and artist. As Bishop of Rome, the Renaissance City (yeah Florence, I said it), he used the world as his palette and the Word of God as his paint brush. He conducted a masterful, charismatic symphony of evangelization and charity. I desire to be a "Renaissance Priest" following his example. The holistic formation offered by PCJ represents an incredible opportunity. I am so ready to get started.
Seminary formation is not a time for "discovery." A man should know who he is and what he wants to be when he begins formation. Rather, this is a time for refinement. The Renaissance master Michelangelo once remarked: "I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." I am entering the seminary because I see a priest within myself. More importantly, God sees a priest within me. Here is the great thing...Jesus is the sculptor! Its like the Lord says to the Prophet Jeremiah: "Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel" (Jer. 18:6)." While Christ chips away at the things I do not need, I have a role to play as well. I become supple through my prayer, studies, and pastoral work. It is comforting to know that I am called to cooperate with the Master Artist.
So what is this all about? Why become a diocesan priest? Didn't you go to Jesuit schools for eight years? Isn't your Confirmation name Ignatius? I love the Society of Jesus. I really love St. Ignatius. That said, I was attracted to the charism of the diocesan priesthood. I have always been a family man (see below). The diocesan priest has the unique opportunity to build a family as he builds a parish. There is a reason we call priests "Father." As my prayer and discussions with my spiritual director progressed, I learned that my natural desire to be a husband was not eliminated in the priesthood, but REALIZED in the priesthood. Think about it. A priest (masculine) is wed to the Church (feminine). Literally. The Eucharist, bread nourished in the womb of the Church, is given life by the words of consecration whispered by the priest. This is the ultimate act of procreation. Really romantic, but entirely true. Parish priests are with families throughout their lives: from Baptism to First Communion, from Matrimony to the funeral rite. When I was teaching in DC, I witnessed the difficulties families went through when Jesus was not invited into the home. A Renaissance Priest can affect change in a family's relationship with God.
So what is this all about? Why become a diocesan priest? Didn't you go to Jesuit schools for eight years? Isn't your Confirmation name Ignatius? I love the Society of Jesus. I really love St. Ignatius. That said, I was attracted to the charism of the diocesan priesthood. I have always been a family man (see below). The diocesan priest has the unique opportunity to build a family as he builds a parish. There is a reason we call priests "Father." As my prayer and discussions with my spiritual director progressed, I learned that my natural desire to be a husband was not eliminated in the priesthood, but REALIZED in the priesthood. Think about it. A priest (masculine) is wed to the Church (feminine). Literally. The Eucharist, bread nourished in the womb of the Church, is given life by the words of consecration whispered by the priest. This is the ultimate act of procreation. Really romantic, but entirely true. Parish priests are with families throughout their lives: from Baptism to First Communion, from Matrimony to the funeral rite. When I was teaching in DC, I witnessed the difficulties families went through when Jesus was not invited into the home. A Renaissance Priest can affect change in a family's relationship with God.
So what is this all about? Why Toledo? Toledo is on the verge of a renaissance. Perhaps it has already begun. Those of you from Detroit, Milwaukee, or Pittsburgh have seen the decline in industry, population, and hope. Do not let your hearts be troubled, ye dwellers of the Rust Belt! Your cities are not going anywhere...except up! A strong city needs a vibrant faith life. Christ is calling me to minister to the city that was the cradle of my family. I have a fierce loyalty to all things Toledo. I love glass, corn, Jeeps, Packo's, the Mud Hens, St. John's Jesuit, Schoens, and the good people of this diocese. God is calling me to "be strong for (Holy) Toledo." I love the opportunity God has given me to be a part of this town's resurgence.
When Jesus called His first disciples (the first priests), He asked them to "put out into the deeper water." Deep water is unknown, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous. Notice what Peter says to Christ in the very next line: "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets" (Lk. 5:5). Like Peter, I was quite comfortable when the water was up to my knees. Fishing from the shore is much easier than casting nets into the middle of the sea. Am I entering seminary without doubt, hesitancy, or even a little fear? No way! But there is something comforting in Jesus' invitation. It is my prayer that my trust in Christ fashion me into a fisher of men.
It is with great confidence (and humility) that I offer God the words of Our Blessed Mother found in today's Gospel: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant."
It is with great confidence (and humility) that I offer God the words of Our Blessed Mother found in today's Gospel: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant."
This is what it is all about.
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