Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA), OFFICE OF VOCATIONS

Institute of St. Joseph to get one of its own as priest

By Patrick Slattery

Staff Writer

TILDEN – The Institute of St. Joseph will gain the priestly services of one of its own when Brother John Mary Gilbert, I.S.J., is ordained a Diocese of La Crosse priest on June 28.

His vocation to the contemplative life will continue after ordination, although he anticipates offering Masses on a regular basis for all the faithful at St. Peter’s Parish in Tilden.

At age 43 Brother John Mary is a latecomer to the priesthood, although he long ago heard and responded to God’s call to religious life.

Reared in an active Protestant family in northern Illinois, Brother John Mary’s serious study of faith matters led him to convert to Catholicism as a senior in high school. His parents, Dr. K. Roger and Martha Gilbert, moved to a farm near Blair in Trempealeau County after he graduated, and Brother John Mary enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

He was in the college seminary program for a year, studying for the Diocese of La Crosse, but decided the diocesan priesthood wasn’t for him. Instead he earned a bachelor’s degree in music. Graduate studies in liturgy took him to St. John’s in Collegeville, and then on to several parish positions as a musician.

While working in this capacity at St. Charles Borromeo in Chippewa Falls almost 20 years ago, he and Father William Felix began to explore the possibility of creating a religious community where priests, laypeople, and those in consecrated life might all join together. This kind of endeavor, called a secular institute, is far more common in Europe than it is in the U.S.

Enlisting the support of Father Raymond Burke, who at the time was diocesan moderator of the curia, the proper church channels were negotiated. In 1987 Bishop John Paul recognized the Institute of St. Joseph as a private association.

Since its beginning St. Peter’s, a countryside parish located seven miles north of Chippewa Falls, has served as the Institute’s home base. Brother John Mary and two others live "the hidden life" here, spending much of their time in solitude and prayer. The Institute has about 50 members, many lay people as well as some diocesan priests, who come to Tilden for gatherings that serve to deepen their spiritual lives.

While focusing in the early years on building up the work of the Institute, Brother John Mary said that pursuing the priesthood remained in the back of his mind. His weekend studies in Minneapolis to obtain a master’s degree in theology from the Institute of Religious Pastoral Studies pointed him further in that direction.

His final step, completed over the past two years, was to go to Cromwell, Conn. where he completed his theology studies at Holy Apostles Seminary. This institution specializes in preparing non-traditional candidates for the priesthood. Brother John Mary said he was very impressed with the caliber of the men studying there, some of whom were in their 70’s, who with joy in their hearts gave up their freedom and careers to serve the Church.

At this point in his life, says Brother John Mary, it feels right to be ordained a priest.

"God had his own timing, and I approach ordination with past experiences that will help me more fully appreciate this calling," he said. He added that he’s especially grateful to the bishop and Father Felix for helping him along the path to the priesthood.

"As a priest Father John Mary will be able to meet sacramental needs for the parish and our Institute," said Father Felix, adding, "His ordination as well as Father Paul Czerwonka’s will mark a great day in the history of the Institute of St. Joseph."

Brother John Mary will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 29, at St. Peter’s in Tilden. He and Father Czerwonka will have a joint reception Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Chippewa Falls.

Published in the Catholic Times, June 24, 2003

2002-2004. Office of Vocations, Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA). Questions and Comments? Contact The Administrator.