2026 Meditations | Meditations & FAQ | Meditations Archive
How can being a Steelers fan lead to the priesthood?
Catechism Meditation:
The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate, “each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ.” While being “ordered one to another,” they differ essentially. In what sense? While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace-a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit-,the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders. ―No. 1547
REFLECTION. José Rosa first came to Saint Vincent to visit Pittsburgh Steelers’ Training Camp. He had no interest in attending Saint Vincent College and the thought of becoming a monk at the Archabbey was even further from his mind. However, he did attend Saint Vincent College, and found the monastic community through an invitation to prayer. According to the Archabbey’s own account, Rosa’s visit was purely for football — to see the Steelers’ practice — and he was not planning to stay or pursue any academic or religious path. While his initial connection to the Steelers was purely as a fan, that shared cultural touchstone became a bridge to his spiritual life. The visit to the training camp was a moment of openness — a willingness to be present in a place of community and shared experience. That openness allowed the invitation to prayer to take root, leading him to explore his vocation. Through this encounter, Rosa began to discern a deeper calling. Over time, he became a solemnly professed Benedictine monk on his road to the priesthood.
Rosa’s story is a reminder that vocation can be discovered in unexpected ways, often through a simple invitation to prayer and a willingness to listen. A casual interest in a local sports team, a visit to a training camp, or even a chance encounter can be the starting point for a deeper relationship with God. For those on the path to the priesthood, it’s a reminder that God’s call can come through the most ordinary or least expected moments. Being a Steelers fan for Rosa was not the end goal, but it was the doorway — a place where he met God, found community, and began the journey toward a life of prayer and service. On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Fr. José Rosa, O.S.B. was ordained to the Holy Order of priesthood at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.
Being a Steelers fan didn’t directly make Fr. José Rosa a priest, but it placed him in a situation where he met the monastic community and received an invitation to prayer — the moment that set him on the path to the priesthood. For some, the combination of Pittsburgh’s Catholic heritage, the Steelers’ community spirit, and personal experiences of faith can culminate in a call to serve. The priesthood offers a way to channel that same dedication — not to a team, but to God and the people He calls to serve. In this sense, being a Steelers fan can be a stepping stone: it can deepen your roots in Catholic tradition, strengthen your sense of community, and inspire you to live out your faith in a way that aligns with the priestly vocation. And who knows? Your love for the Steelers can be a platform for living out the priesthood of believers — representing God, interceding for others, and offering your life as a living sacrifice — all while enjoying the joy of being a faithful fan.
Source: SaintVincentArchAbbey.org, OurLadyoftheFields.org
PRAYER. Lord, support all who are exploring a priestly vocation. May they, in humble awareness of being a simple earthen vessel, place their life joyfully at Your service: “Here I am, Lord; send me!” May they always know that in Your will is our peace.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“A vocation is so very sacred that one does like to speak of it… For the most part, the religious vocation is rather a silent but insistent whisper, yet one that demands a response: no violent shaking of bedposts or loud noises in the night. Just ‘you are called to be a priest.’” ― Blessed Fulton J. Sheen