Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

For more than three decades, Father Joseph Breighner was the host of a popular radio show called "The Country Road." (CR file)

Fifty years a priest


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Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Wit & Wisdom

In May 1971, along with nine other men, I was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. I can’t believe that that was 50 years ago.

Of that group, several have gone back to God, including Monsignor Ed Miller and other departed friends.

Others continue in various pastoral ministries: Monsignor Tom Phillips, and Fathers Joe Bochenek, Larry Frazier and Mike Roach.

After ordination, I always expected to be a parish priest. Most of my life, however, has been in pastoral counseling, writing for the Catholic Review, and, for more than 30 years, writing and recording a syndicated radio show produced at WPOC in Baltimore. Various stations around the country still air the show.

Writing, preaching and pastoral counseling have always been my favorite ministries. So immediately after those 12 years of seminary and ordination, I went back to school to get a certificate in pastoral counseling. I have always been touched that people would pour out their hearts to me. I wanted to make sure that I was the best listener and counselor that I could be.

Someone years ago defined the priesthood as “bringing people to God, and God to people.” God is always looking for us, but sometimes we are running from God. Many of our images of God are fearful. I wanted to assure people that God is a loving God. God isn’t looking to judge us, but to love us.

Without faith in God, life can seem pointless. Are we just the chance results of stars colliding? Or, have we been created, in whatever way, by a loving Creator who wanted to share his life with others?

I believe that love is the creative energy of the universe. God is the origin of all species and all life. It’s a God who wanted to share his own joy and life with us. God came among us in history in the person of Jesus. He was willing to die to show us the depth of his love.

So I invite you to celebrate this anniversary of my ordination by inviting God into the silence of your life, by reading the Scriptures and sharing in the Eucharist.

God thought we were worth his life. Can we dare to live our lives for God?

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