Brother Michael Joseph has been a monk in Pax + Abbey since the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2020.

Before his ordination to the priesthood in 1994 and his episcopal consecration in 1998, Brother was in the radio broadcasting industry for 25 years.

Following his ordination, he began a career in health care serving as a chaplain in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. He fondly recalls his 20+ years as a Hospice chaplain as the most rewarding experience of his life.

Brother is the Bishop-Chair of the Old Catholic Communion jurisdiction in the United States and is also the founding pastor of The Parish Community of Saint Joseph of the Old Catholic Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He lives in Palmyra, Pennsylvania (a town directly adjacent to Hershey) along with his special-needs daughter, Kimberly. Brother prides himself on his sense of humor, and especially enjoys making people laugh at times when they might need a chuckle most.

Brother Michael Joseph says: “Pax + Abbey has changed my life. I never dreamed that I would actually find a way to become a Benedictine monk, but through the vision of our Founding Abbot +William, I have found peace and a conversion to a new way of life. Each day I find myself growing closer to the Lord through the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio Divina, coupled with our weekly Chapter meetings which help me to remain grounded, knowing that I am part of a community of like-minded individuals who seek ‘conversatio morum.’ I feel so blessed to have been accepted into Pax + Abbey!”