Msgr. Lehman reflects on 40 years of priesthood
Msgr. Joseph Lehman III has been a part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond for his entire life. His calling to the priesthood has been part of him for nearly that long as well.
“I was in grade school at St. Mary Star of the Sea here in the diocese, and I kind of grew up thinking I wanted to be a priest,” he said.
According to Msgr. Lehman, his mother said that at some time “early on,” between him being in second to fourth grade, he mentioned to her that he wanted to be a priest.
Because of his mother’s work in the parish and his father helping at the early morning Mass at the Veterans Administration Center, Msgr. Lehman said priests visited their home often.
“I got to know them as real people, and I said, ‘This is something I want to do.’ It was nothing earth-shattering, no palm on the ground moment. I just knew this was where I was going to be,” he said.
After attending St. John Vianney Seminary High School in Richmond, Msgr. Lehman attended St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1976.
Bishop Walter F. Sullivan asked him to continue his priestly formation at the North American College in Rome to join Msgr. Charlie Kelly, who served on the NAC faculty, so there would be two men from Richmond at the school.
“I did not want to go there,” said Msgr. Lehman. “I wanted to go Louvain in Belgium. He said, ‘Nope.’ I said, ‘How about somewhere in New England?’ ‘Nope.’ ‘How about sending me back to St. Meinrad?’ ‘Nope.’”
Msgr. Lehman finally agreed to go to Rome.
The priest said he had not heard good things about community life at the NAC, which was a part of his high school and undergraduate experiences that he greatly valued.
“I ended up going, and our class helped to bring about community life there. If we don’t find it, we make it,” he said. “It was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world now.”
Ecumenical work
After completing formation, Msgr. Lehman was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Richmond on Aug. 16, 1980.
Ecumenical work through the Virginia LARCUM Committee, on which he serves as ecumenical and interreligious officer, and the Virginia Council of Churches has been an integral part of his ministry.
“I’ve really been doing that for a long time,” he said. “Bringing other Christian people an awareness of the Latin Catholic faith – that’s been a real joy.”
In 2002, when Bishop Sullivan was preparing to retire, then-Father Lehman was named a monsignor.
“It was a great surprise,” said the priest.
He explained that Bishop Sullivan had recognized priests and laypeople “who were representing different faces of his ministry as bishop” of the Diocese of Richmond.
Because of the bishop’s interest in ecumenical and interfaith work, he recommended to Pope John Paul II that Msgr. Lehman be given that honor.
Joy in parish ministry
In addition to his ecumenical work, Msgr. Lehman has found happiness in celebrating the Eucharist, being with people in the parish, working with couples preparing for marriage and keeping up with them, and being with people as they transition from this life to the next.
“Recently a number of people have died when we were praying, and it’s been a really beautiful grace moment for me,” he said.
About six months ago, the priest came across a quote from Thomas Merton that “just really resonated.”
According to Msgr. Lehman, the message expressed by Merton was that in his photography, Merton did not want to rearrange a picture, but find the beauty within the existing image.
“So, I think that’s what has been the key to being a happy priest. To always find the beauty in the moment and not try to rearrange the scene because it’s God’s scene and not my own,” he explained. “There’s beauty everywhere, and I think optimism is also part of my nature, so I think those kinds of things help.”
Msgr. Lehman said that “all those prayers,” the Eucharist and being among the people in their vulnerability and joys have also helped him “feel fulfilled and feel like there’s a place (for his ministry).”
He currently serves as pastor of St. Bede, Williamsburg. Effective August 17, he will also serve as rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Williamsburg.
Beauty amid ugliness
Previous assignments include serving as pastor of Holy Cross, Lynchburg (1980-1984); Resurrection, Moneta (1984-1988 and 2005- 2009); Holy Name of Mary, Bedford (1984-1988); Christ the King, Norfolk (1988-1997); Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke (1997-2019); and St. Francis of Assisi, Rocky Mount (2005-2009).
He also served as associate director of St. Francis of Assisi, Rocky Mount, and Resurrection, Moneta (2005-2009); and as administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem (2016).
Msgr. Lehman said that priesthood has been what he expected it to be even in the midst of the challenging times the Church has experienced.
“Even in all the ugliness, there is still some beauty,” he said. “It’s challenging, but it does bring forth creativity, and I like that.”
Rather than on Aug. 16, Msgr. Lehman said he plans to celebrate his 40th anniversary “very quietly later” because “every day is a celebration.”
In the meantime?
“Onward to 50, God willing,” he said.