By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/5/03)
Deacon Joel D. Jaffe traces his desire to become a priest to the hours spent in adoration of the Eucharist at St. Michael Parish in Annandale. Visits to the perpetual adoration chapel after an evening out with friends and at other times during his high school years eventually turned into a devotion. When he left for college, his devotion grew into a desire for the Eucharist that impelled him to frequent Mass and confession more regularly. Ultimately, he said, it was this devotion that led to his decision to become a priest.
"When I left for college, I found I missed the peace that fills you up, that which I would receive in the adoration chapel," said Deacon Jaffe. "In a very direct way, this desire led me to take a hold of my faith and truly begin to live it out. I went to daily Mass often and to confession more frequently. Ultimately, it led me to a point where I was disposed enough to hear the Lord's call to be a priest."
Although many people in his life sowed the seeds of his vocation by faith and example,
Deacon Jaffe says the greatest influence and impact came from Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
"It always amazes me to see how many people pray at that chapel and at other adoration chapels like it. They are very blessed places," he said. "In a way, I guess I could say all those who went into that chapel and prayed for vocations to the priesthood influenced my decision to accept God's call."
Deacon Jaffe was born and raised in Annandale, where his parents, Sidney and Missy Jaffe, and sister, Jennifer Montes de Oca, still reside. Raised Catholic in an inter-religious home, Deacon Jaffe says he has a great appreciation for his father’s Jewish faith. Deacon Jaffe was a member of St. Michael Parish where he attended St. Michael School. He graduated from Annandale High School in 1994.
It was during his freshman year at the College of William and Mary that Deacon Jaffe first began to realize his vocation to the priesthood.
"I began grappling with the idea during my freshman year, but did not really come to grips with it and make a decision to enter the seminary until the end of my junior year," he said.
Once he realized that Christ was calling him to serve Him and His Church through the ministry of the priesthood, Jaffe says he could not refuse God’s call. "How could I say ‘no’ to God?" he said.
One of the most significant experiences during his formation has been the privilege of attending seminary at the North American College in Rome. For all the difficulties associated with studying abroad, Deacon Jaffe said exposure to the churches, pilgrimage sites and saints’ tombs in Rome deepened his understanding of the Church universal.
"I met and studied with people from literally every part of the world. It was exposure to the true essence of what it means to be catholic (universal)," he said.
For Deacon Jaffe, the greatest challenges of seminary life were the challenges that every Christian faces in striving to life the universal call to holiness: facing his strengths and weaknesses and trying to become more Christ like.
Looking forward to his ordination on June 7, Deacon Jaffe said the Easter season has afforded him the opportunity to reflect more closely on the disciples during Pentecost.
"I often find myself thinking about how often we are all like the early disciples and to the apostles," he said. "I reflect on the confusion and uncertainty of what comes next, as they stay locked in the upper room.
"Having heard the rumors that the Lord has risen, and having already seen the risen Lord, the apostles were still uncertain of what their future would be. The great comfort I draw from this scene is that the Lord provides his Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to guide them, instruct them and inspire them to proclaim the Gospel."
Jaffe said he anticipates the greatest joys and challenges as a priest will be found in parishioners whom he will serve, "for each one has so much to teach me about God and about his or her relationship with God.
"I look forward to having my relationship deepened, strengthened and challenged by the people I serve."
"My vision of the priesthood is to do God's will, through the grace of orders to proclaim the Good News, and serve God's people through the ministering of the sacraments and through prayer," he said. "As a priest, I am a servant of God's people, sent to do God's will. My goal as a priest is the salvation of souls. The greatest challenge to doing God's will is allowing my relationship with God to grow and deepen, so that I can better serve."
Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.
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