Throughout my seminary formation, as I discerned whether Christ Jesus was calling me to be a priest, I recall fantasizing about all the wonderful things I wanted to do as a priest. 

I vividly remember wanting to model my life after the many great saintly priests — Pope John Paul II, St. John Vianney, St. John Bosco, all of whom were men who dedicated their entire lives to Christ and his Church. While I still strive for such sanctity, and realize now how very difficult it is, I didn’t recognize the trap into which I had fallen. Throughout my time of preparation for the priesthood, my focus had been on me, on what I wanted to do, on what I thought was best, and on what I was going to do once I was ordained.

The realization of this came on the day of my ordination to the priesthood. Moments after the bishop and my brother priests laid hands upon my head, I was greeted with the sign of peace by the other priests who were present there to celebrate that day. At that moment, I became acutely aware that this ordination day was not about me at all; it was totally about Jesus Christ and his priesthood. As I was greeted by priests, young and old, it all became clear: I am just one among the many priests throughout the generations whom Christ has called to continue his mission.

A deep sense of gratitude filled my heart in knowing that I was now taking part in something much greater than myself, something that was not about my gifts or talents or desires, but about the mission of Christ to bring his Gospel to all those I would be sent to serve.

I am continuing to learn that the priesthood is never about me, but always about Christ. Being chaplain at Bishop Stang High School has been one of the greatest blessings and one of the greatest challenges of my priesthood. Following a priest who was beloved by students and teachers made the assignment a bit intimidating right from the start. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not about me, that it was not a popularity contest, that it was not about what I could do there, but about continuing the mission of Christ, trying to make him present in every encounter, in every classroom, in every sporting event and in the life of every student.

I love being a high school chaplain. I love watching the students grow in their understanding not only in academic areas, but also as individuals and in their relationship with our Lord. Like the first disciples, they make their share of mistakes, but with such powerful energy they rebound with a greater awareness of who they are and who Jesus Christ has called them to be.

One such experience was in welcoming four senior boys into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Each week, these young men would skip practice from their respective sports to study the faith and prepare for entrance into the Church. Their search for truth and meaning in life, as well as their dedication and commitment was a tremendous witness to me of the Holy Spirit working in their lives.

Another blessed experience was in taking almost 100 students to the annual “March for Life” pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. The witness of these young men and women served to provide me with a great sense of hope in the future of our nation and in particular the Pro-Life movement. Without complaining about the rigor of a long bus ride, little sleep and lots of prayer, they reminded me of how fulfilling our lives become through the sacrifices we make and in our witnessing to the Gospel.

It is often a temptation to think that all these great things happen because of something that I did; the truth remains, however, that it is not about me or any of us for that matter. It is always about what Christ is doing and has done through his priesthood, which I am so blessed and so humbled to share in.

I am constantly reminded of the awesomeness of the priesthood every time I reflect on the prayer of Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, OP, which is a fitting way to end this reflection: 

“To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasures; to be a member of every family, yet belong to none; to share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds; to daily go from men to God to offer him their homage and petitions; to return from God to men to bring them his pardon and hope; to have a heart of fire for charity and heart of bronze for chastity; to bless and to be blest forever. O God, what a life, and it is yours O Priest of Jesus Christ!”

Father Jay Mello was ordained in 2007 and is chaplain at Bishop Stang High School and parochial vicar at St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth.