The “least likely person to become a priest”

“I am the least likely person to become a priest. If I were to write down a list of 100 possible careers I could see myself doing, the priesthood certainly would not have been a remote thought for me,” said Deacon Javier Ebertowski. Growing up, he and his three siblings had to attend church on Sundays with their parents. However, young Javier tried to get away with the least prayer and Church time possible. Going to college, he was relieved to leave his faith behind.
 
Everything changed when an old friend from high school invited him to a Bible study – and persisted. “I finally gave in and went. This Bible study became a stepping stone to my ‘reversion’ to the faith. Up to this point, I had never encountered the Bible being explained in such an engaging way, with people who were normal, friendly, and eager to bring you in as one of their own.”
 
After a happy year with his newfound approach to Christianity, he encountered one fundamental element: the Eucharist. Wasn’t it the real presence of Christ, as his mother had always taught him? “After much reading, researching, and soul-searching, I concluded that I needed to return wholeheartedly to the Church. There was overwhelming evidence, particularly from the Church Fathers, that Christian believers have consistently held that the Eucharist is truly the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ,” he remembers. He returned to the Catholic Church and continued to read and research extensively about theology, faith traditions, and philosophy.
 
While working as a personal trainer at a health club, one day a strange thought entered his head and didn’t leave: “What is a day in the life of a Catholic priest like?” Researching online didn’t lead him to sign up for seminary, but the thought lingered. It took trying out different paths and wrestling with understanding God’s will until Deacon Javier entered the seminary: “I would go on to graduate from college and serve as a missionary in Central America and enter religious life.” After much discernment, he realized that this was not what God had in mind. “After wrestling with God for many years, I finally came to peace with giving God my total, complete and joyful surrender to being His priest.”
 
Deacon Javier spent his pastoral year at St. Pius X, where he enjoyed teaching the children and hosting monthly gatherings on faith questions called “Sips with a Seminarian,” featuring many guest speakers from our diocese. He studied for the past several years in Rome at the Pontifical North American College.
 
He prepares for his ordination by dedicating time to prayer and taking advantage of the practice chapels provided by the College, ensuring he feels ready to celebrate Mass. 
 
In his free time, he loves sports. While in Rome, he takes advantage of the sports facilities at the Pontifical North American College, playing basketball, soccer, tennis, and pickleball at least once a week with Fr. Raymond Pendleton.