Meet our priests: Father Joseph J. D’Onofrio

Parish/assignment: St. Agnes, Arlington

Place of birth: New Haven, Conn.

How many brothers and sisters do you have? 4 brothers, 1 sister

High school: Cohasset High School

College/University/ Seminary

Undergraduate -- Tufts University

Graduate 1 -- Tufts University

Graduate 2 -- St. John’s Seminary

Seminary (Theology) -- St. John’s Seminary

Date of ordination: May 21, 2005

What assignments have you had since ordination?

St. Agnes, Arlington

What have been some of the greatest joys for you as a priest?

Offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and offering Holy Anointing, Sacrament of the Sick.

Who influenced your vocation most to consider the priesthood?

Holy priests I have known as well as parents and family.

What events or practices in your life helped you to discover and discern your call to the priesthood?

Frequent attendance of Holy Mass and confession in the years leading up to application to the seminary as well as adoration of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament during holy hours.

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading, going to the gym, biking, flying.

What advice would you give to a young man who is considering the priesthood?

Stay close to our Lord in the Eucharist and Holy Confession.

Through the cardinal, God is calling each of us personally to help rebuild His Church. How must the priest respond to this mandate today?

Faithful service, in season and out of season.

When Cardinal Seán came to Boston, he wrote a pastoral letter entitled: “Vocations: Everybody’s Business.” What are some ways that we can help all individuals and families understand their role in promoting and supporting vocations?

Remind the faithful of their role in taking the graces of the Holy Sacrifice to the world, where they live, where they work, where they shop, where they have coffee...

Featured Website:

www.saintagnes.net

www.saintagnesschool.com

www.achs.net

www.VocationsBoston.org

Upcoming Events for the Vocation Office

May 13: Christ Speaks in the City at the Old State House in Downtown Boston

May 23: Priesthood Ordination at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston

June 23-25: Seminarian Retreat

The content of Meet Our Priests is provided by the Office for Vocations of the Archdiocese of Boston.