There are many wonderful men in this world who are known as priests — modern day apostles who tend to their flocks. They should all be respected and honored for their unselfish devotion to God, his work, and his people. It seems that our attention is drawn to them only when there is a crisis or scandal. The media are quick to magnify those who are weak and wrongdoing, rather than the vast majority who are serving God and his people for the good.

Two years ago, I had the great fortune of meeting a wonderful, humble priest named Father Flavian A. Walsh, O.F.M. Father Flavian was born on April 28, 1930 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended St. Joseph Seminary in Callicoon, New York, and on June 11, 1956, he was ordained a priest.

Between 1957 and the present, Father Flavian has been assigned to many positions, such as that of history teacher and Assistant Prefect of Discipline in Callicoon, New York from 1957 to 1960, and as a missionary in Japan from 1960 to 1981. During my conversations with him, he spoke with great joy of his experiences and many years in Japan. He recommended that I read a book entitled The Wonderful Fool by a Japanese author named Shusako Endo. The message from the author is simple, but meaningful and very beautiful. Much the way I see Father Flavian.

Father Flavian was also assigned as Guardian and Pastor of St. Francis Church in New York City from 1985 through 1987, and he held the positions of Vicar Provincial (1987), Personnel Director (1987-1993), and Director of Refounding (1993-1996) at the Provincialate in New York City. Luckily for the people of Little Falls, New Jersey, he was eventually assigned to Our Lady of Holy Angels Church as Parochial Vicar from 1996 to 1999. Presently, he is the Assistant Novice Master at St. Paul’s Friary in Wilmington, Delaware.

When I first met Father Flavian, he was serving at the Franciscan parish of Our Lady of Holy Angels in Little Falls, New Jersey, where I had just become a parishioner. My first personal encounter with Father Flavian was during the season of Lent, at which time he was holding meetings known as the “Come Home” sessions for Catholics who were separated from the Church for various reasons — whether it be for divorce, problems with the clergy, or whatever. He wanted people to come and open their hearts and get rid of the “baggage” that was keeping them from walking back into their Church.

Although I didn’t personally feel any animosity or separation from the Church, I attended all four sessions and witnessed healing in its truest sense. Father Flavian conducted these get-togethers in the living room at the rectory. What I witnessed were wounded people of all ages looking for some sort of hope. Their concerns were many and varied. I remember a very sad, young girl 16 or 17 years old who believed that she was excommunicated because she was an alcoholic among other things. I saw women who had been away from the Church for 20 to 30 years because they left abusive marriages, and others who were hurt or shunned by members of the clergy. Some were having trouble dealing with the fact that their older children no longer practiced their faith or went to church. They felt responsible and helpless. Their pain was very deep and real. Many felt abandoned by the Church and not worthy of God’s love. Some were even angry with God, and felt a terrible void in their lives.

Father Flavian’s compassion and the time he spent with these people was deeply spiritual. He gave them the hope and the love that they had been starving for. He allowed them to express anger, despair and sadness. He was never judgmental. He answered their questions and offered possible solutions to their plights. He assured them that God never stopped loving them for any reason and would always be there for them. They were like sponges sopping up everything he had to offer. Some were like little children who had lost their way and needed a hand to hold onto. Father Flavian extended that hand and led them back on the path.

By the time the sessions were over, these people walked out with renewed faith in the Church, after years of pain, and their tears were replaced with smiles. They were able to come home again — a gift — the value of which any Catholic who has been separated from the Church can truly understand.

I witnessed, first hand, what it must have been like to watch Jesus with the people. Father Flavian certainly was walking in his footsteps — healing, encouraging, and loving, all in the name of the Father.

Father Flavian is a true priest. He is my favorite priest. God bless him and all others like him. 

You are invited to contribute to this series by sending in an account of a priest whom you admire. Articles should not exceed 800 words. The best of these will be printed. Send to
“My Favorite Priest”
c/o Homiletic & Pastoral Review
50 S. Franklin Turnpike
Suite 1
Ramsey, N.J. 07446
If you have a good photo of the priest, please send that also. Enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope, if you wish to have your article returned
... Linda Khoyan lives in Montclair, N.J. — Editor

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