March 19 is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Mother Mary and foster father of Jesus.
A man who would be a good husband and father would also be a good priest. This is something we remind our seminarians of throughout their journey of discernment. The desire to have a family of their own is natural and normal. It is in their own family experiences and through the examples of fathers or father figures that they are able to discern where God is calling them. As a priest and vocations director, I often speak about the priests who impacted my life and inspired me to follow my vocation. However, there are so many good men, husbands and fathers who are also great inspirations for following my vocation.
Pope Francis tells us, “Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person.” In my own life, I know I look to the example of my father and my two older brothers. These three men are the reason I am the man I am today. Their sacrifices for me when I was growing up – and the sacrifices they continue to make for our family today – are always truly inspiring.
As “the baby” of the family, I was always under their care and protection. My dad taught me the value of hard work and how we have to be strong in the toughest of circumstances. My older brothers also took me under their wings to help me grow. Even as the annoying little brother, they still allowed me to join them in whatever they were doing. They taught me in so many ways, and they continue to teach me the importance of being a family man of joy and faith in our world.
I could describe many other men who have inspired me from my own parish. Men who work two or three jobs to provide for their families. Men who give everything they have to make sure their children have a better childhood and a better future than they did. I am constantly humbled when I think I have had a long day, only to see that a long day in my book would be an easy day in theirs.
Another two men who have shown me this are our own diocesan communicators Michael Walsh and John Kalitz. Their work takes them all over the Diocese at different times and days. During the height of the pandemic when everything had moved to virtual, they worked with me for nearly a year on our “First Thursday Holy Hour for Vocations,” along with many other projects in the Office of Vocations. Each first Thursday of the month, they would be on-site early and ready to set up (often beating me to the church). After we finished, they would be off to another event in our Diocese or would leave for baseball or hockey practices and rehearsals for their children. These men clearly love both their faith and family and saw the importance of doing their best for both because this is where God had called them.
I thank God for all of these great witnesses. It is a blessing to have my father and two older brothers as examples of what it means to be a good man of faith. I am also blessed to have many other good witnesses of the importance of fatherhood today. I think Saint Joseph is proud when he sees so many men who do great jobs, but never get the attention or publicity deserved. They, like Saint Joseph, remain humble and dedicated to serving God in their families – not for the glory of the world, but for the glory of God.
May we pray for all fathers that like Saint Joseph, they may lead quiet lives of love and service that help to bring Christ into the world in so many wonderful and beautiful ways.
Father Adam Cichoski is director of vocations for the Diocese of Camden.
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