Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Seeking 'what gives most life'

After graduating from Bishop Brossart High School (1999) and Thomas More College with a bachelor’s degree in history, Joshua Lange decided to pursue his dream of becoming a priest. Bishop Roger Foys welcomed Mr. Lange and encouraged him to begin studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Penn. After a short while, though, Mr. Lange had second thoughts, so he interrupted his studies. But soon he discovered that “what was missing in my life was being on the track for the priesthood.”

Bishop Foys again encouraged him, “a simple gesture but very reaffirming,” Mr. Lange says. “I was always humbled by his saying that I had certain gifts to give to people and the Church.” In the fall of 2005 Mr. Lange re-entered the seminary, this time at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.

Now Mr. Lange’s journey to the priesthood reaches a major juncture March 15 when Bishop Foys ordains him and three others to the transitional diaconate, the final stage before ordination to the priesthood. That day, in the cathedral at 10 a.m., in a ceremony open to the public, the four seminarians will promise to be obedient and celibate and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. (Matthew Cushing and Lawrence Schaeper were profiled in last week’s Messenger; Mr. Lange and Robert Rottgers, in this week’s.)

Bishop Foys is “very easy to talk to and gets to know us on such a personal level,” Mr. Lange says. “He really walks with us during the journey, helps us over the rough spots and rejoices with us … I know it’s been that way for me.”

He acknowledges other supporters as well: his parents and family members, his friends, former Bishop Robert Muench, and Father Richard Wurth, pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven Church, Erlanger. He particularly remembers the friendly promptings of Father Michael Barth who became a family friend while serving at Mr. Lange’s home parish, St. Mary Church, Alexandria. (Father Barth now is pastoral administrator at St. Philip Church, Melbourne, and serves in the diocesan Tribunal as a canon lawyer.)

Father Barth “always said to me, ‘Whatever you do in life, do what gives you the most life, do what is most life-giving.’ That has always been a guiding thought for me,” Mr. Lange said.

Mr. Lange has enjoyed his time in the seminary and looks forward to another, final year of academic and spiritual preparation “built on the good foundation I’ve been given here.”

He has enjoyed his life in the seminary, he says, which has given him an opportunity to hone his social or ”people” skills. A seminarian must be a “soul-searcher,” which brings about some anxiety, even doubt, so “you really minister to one another … you learn to be more pastoral.” He has also done some tutoring and mentored a seminarian from Kenya. On the other side of the coin, such an “open door” policy sometimes entails being available when you least want to listen, but even that experience is good training for a minister’s life, Mr. Lange says.

A passage from chapter one of Luke’s Gospel, part of the “Benedictus” at Lauds (or Morning Prayer), is an inspirational favorite. “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” (Lk 1:76-77)

“The prophet referred to is John the Baptist. I know I am not a prophet like John, but in many ways we are all called to be prophets,” Mr. Lange says. “Whenever I hear these words, I hear the call of the Lord which focuses and strengthens me in my preparation for ministry.”

“I’m very excited about serving (the people of the Diocese of Covington),” he says. “It’s my goal to serve them by showing them how much God loves all of us, so we can journey together on the way to what God has planned for us.”

(Back)