Joseph Delka: Striving to give himself over to God

Friday, Jun. 13, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — Joseph Delka is completing his baccalaureate degree in sacred theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome before he returns to Utah to be ordained a transitional deacon by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, June 28. 

“Joe Delka is a wonderful young man, who is a very sincere, genuine, caring and compassionate individual,” said Bishop Wester. “He is very bright and is really eager to learn and to study, and then to eventually serve in the priesthood. He has a winning smile and a wonderful sense of humor. Joe really listens to people, and that is a great attribute to have as a priest, to hear them and to guide them in their day-to-day world. He doesn’t need to be the center of attention on stage. My sense is that Joe is content to be behind the scenes to let other people shine while he supports and helps them.”

Delka entered Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon in August 2009 and has continued his studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from September 2011. After ordination to the transitional diaconate, he will be assigned at Christ the King Parish in Cedar City for his summer diaconate ministry.

His experience in the seminary has somewhat changed his life spiritually and in other ways, although it is difficult to sum up in words, he said.

“Through prayer, study, and apostolic work I have grown closer to our Lord,” Delka said. “I have come to understand more my own need for the love, grace, and mercy of Christ. Looking back I can see God working in my life to bring me to this moment. He has given me the grace to hear and answer his call, a call that will be confirmed by the Church at my ordination.” 

Delka’s understanding of a vocation has increased, he said. “A vocation is not a job, it is a calling from God to not only do something but to be something,” he said. “It is truly a gift from God, who is love, that will form a part of who I am. My time in the seminary has taught me to strive every day to give myself over more and more to the Lord in answer to that call. I have also come to see ever more clearly that the world needs Christ. I am happy and blessed to have a part in bringing that light of Christ to the world as a deacon and, soon, as a priest.”

In his summer assignment as a deacon, Delka will have opportunities to baptize, preach, teach, and lead communion services in the missions of southern Utah, he said. “All of these will be formative experiences as I continue to prepare for the priesthood,” he added. “On the practical side of things I think I will be able to learn a lot regarding the ‘how-to’ of ministry; even more so, these opportunities provide a time of spiritual growth. By the grace of God I hope these experiences will help form my heart to be more like that of the Good Shepherd. It will be a time of growing in my identity as one ordained and set aside for ministry among God’s people.”