Fr. John McKenzie, a priest serving the D4 Mission Family of Parishes shares his journey through the faith, into monastic life, and to the diocesan priesthood. He describes why he loves being a priest, some perspectives on serving as a Black Catholic priest, mentoring men in his community, and his insights on how to best support priests.

What is the greatest gift about being a priest?
You get to bring truly the Lord Jesus to people in many and various circumstances of their lives.

What would you say to a young man discerning the priesthood?
Make a good discernment and know that it’s not an easy job but that Christ continues to call men to the priesthood to give of themselves in order to serve Him and His Church.

How can people at your parish best support you?
They can offer up prayers and ask how they can best support me.

Describe the first moment you knew God was calling you to the priesthood.
I think I felt that as a child actually. I was baptized at 11 years old, and I remember thinking about becoming a priest then when I was serving at the altar with Fr. Ron. He was the pastor at Our Lady of Grace in Dearborn Heights (Joy Road and Telegraph). But it didn’t come back until later when I was at college in St. Louis after Pope John Paul II had visited there, and then it became very clear during my time in the monastery that I was called to the priesthood.

What should all young people know about discerning a vocation?
I think young people should know that the Lord Jesus invites them to live an intimate life with Him, that He can really be the one necessary thing, and if we live a life consecrated to Jesus Christ, He will bring us peace, He will bring us joy. But He will also, as the Gospels say, He will bring us a cross. But thanks be to God, we get to share that cross with the one who suffered the most on the Cross, which is the Lord Jesus. There’s a real blessing to have that real intimacy with the Lord Jesus, unlike any other. That’s not to say other vocations don’t invite Jesus into their lives. Of course, I’m not saying that, but there’s something in a particular way with those in the priesthood and the consecrated life that share this cross-bearing, missionary work. That brings great joy. But one should also see the beauty of the other vocations, whether that be marriage or the single vocation out in the world. To see all of that is a good thing as well.