Monsignor Joseph James

The Charismatic Priest

De: Mark Sundy

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Msgr. Joseph James has been a Catholic priest for over 60 years. He has celebrated more than 27,000 Masses, and he has heard over 27,000 confessions. He is a faithful, kind and generous man who has devoted his whole life to God. He has been faithful to his “call” to the priesthood that occurred when he was in 5th grade. He leads by example. Monsignor Joseph James currently prays 3 to 4 hours every day.Father Joseph W. James was ordained on December 15, 1957 in Rome. He received the honorary title of “Monsignor” from Pope John Paul II in April 1985.The author asked Msgr. James, “You are almost 89 years old and have been a Catholic priest for 63 years, If you had it to do all over again, would you still become a Catholic priest?" Monsignor James quickly answered, "Yes, God put the "call to the priesthood" in my heart in the summer of the fifth grade while playing baseball in right field. That "call to the priesthood" is still just as real today as then." Monsignor James greatest desire his entire life was to be a parish priest because he loved the people. The people also loved him.No woman’s love could ever take him away from his call to the priesthood, physical pain or exhaustion could never him take him away from his call to the priesthood, and no bishop could ever put enough discouragement in his heart to take him away from his call to the priesthood. Monsignor James was a great man of God. Faithfulness, kindness and generosity were his greatest virtues. Msgr. Joseph James’ motto always has been the same as the US Marines, "Semper Fidelis" which means “always faithful.”He was one of the original priests for the Diocese of Lubbock when the Diocese was created by Pope John Paul II on June 25, 1983.