When Military Service Meets the Priesthood (The Mark Swartzberg Show)

What does priestly ministry look like when your parishioners are jumping from airplanes, training for combat, and deploying around the world? On The Mark Swartzberg Show, Mark explored that question with Fr. Mike Metz, a Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fr. Metz told Mark that military life pushes soldiers to confront their limits – and sometimes life’s deepest questions. Young soldiers preparing for dangerous training or deployment face realities most people their age rarely consider. That can produce a remarkable spiritual seriousness. Fr. Metz encounters soldiers who realize, “I want to get my life in order and I want to be prepared for whatever comes next.” Mark asked how that reality shapes Fr. Metz’s priesthood. His answer was simple: Be available. Whether soldiers are rigging parachutes, training at the range, preparing for deployment, or coming to Confession, Fr. Metz tries to meet them where they are. Some know he is a Catholic priest; others simply see a chaplain. But, he explained, “Everybody that I interact with, I get to love with the priestly heart of Jesus.” That availability is especially important because military life rarely fits neatly into a parish schedule. Fr. Metz described his task as helping “normalize the abnormal,” ensuring deployments and lengthy training exercises don’t unnecessarily separate Catholics from the sacraments. Mark then asked about one extraordinary example: the day Fr. Metz celebrated all seven sacraments. He baptized children, heard Confessions, celebrated Mass, confirmed a soldier, convalidated his marriage, and anointed a cancer patient, all through the Holy Orders he had already received. It was an extraordinary day revealing that wherever God calls His people, He provides the grace to follow Him. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.