Meet the Chaplain: Fr. John Silva - Madison Chapter

Father John Silva, 39, grew up in the small, rural village of Snake Run, Ind., where he attended Catholic schools and went to Mass with his two siblings and parents.

After high school, he earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and attended major seminary at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Chicago, Ill. He was ordained a priest on June 5, 2004.

After serving in the Diocese of Evansville, Ind., for six years, Fr. Silva was granted permission to transfer to the Diocese of Madison, Wis. He has served as a police chaplain and a parochial vicar, administrator and pastor at several parishes. He is currently the pastor of two churches: St. John the Evangelist in Spring Green and St. Luke’s in Plain, Wis.

In June, Father Silva became chaplain of Legatus’ Madison Chapter, which chartered on Sept. 21. He concelebrated the chartering Mass with his boss, Bishop Robert Morlino. Father Silva spoke with Legatus magazine staff writer Brian Fraga.

How did you discern your priestly vocation?

I went on a Teens Encounter Christ retreat in high school. I was 17 at the time. Around that time, a priest asked me to think about becoming a priest because he thought I had the qualities to be one. I was also invited to go to a priestly ordination, and it inspired me seeing a young man giving his life for Jesus Christ and his Church. It inspired me to go into seminary.

How did your experience as a police department chaplain affect you as a priest?

It really helped me to put things into perspective dealing with law enforcement issues.

How do you lead two parishes at one time?

I take it one day at a time. I have a devotion to St. Catherine of Siena, who is one of my favorite saints. She said that if we are who God meant us to be, we will set the world on fire. I try my best to be who God made me to be.

How did your devotion to St. Catherine of Siena develop?

I’ve been to Siena and reading her writings, which have inspired me. She came from a large family; she was the 25th child in her family. She was also a twin, and I’m a twin.

How did you become a Legatus chaplain?

The bishop had asked me to become the chaplain because he thought I’d be a good fit. I don’t know the reason why he thought that. But I knew about Tom Monaghan and Ave Maria University, and I was fascinated with his vision and his goals for the Church. His vision is to form people and the whole community in Catholic life. He focused on discipleship, and that is very inspiring to me.

What have been your impressions of Legatus?

It’s wonderful for me to see Catholic business men and women working in the world, who are serious about their faith, who come together once a month for fellowship and for the great speakers we have.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I just like to spend time with people on my time off, talk with them about the faith and also to spend time with my brother priests.

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?

I grew up on a farm, and I play the piano and the violin. I play on my own time. No one ever hears me!

BRIAN FRAGA is Legatus magazine’s editorial assistant.