“It’s amazing to me how many young adults are coming up to me asking, ‘How do I become Catholic?,’ or ‘How do I finish my Sacraments of Initiation?” Fr. John Eustice, CSV, said, in Episode 114 of Viatorian Voices. “It’s great to be here as a witness for the Church, walking with them on their journeys.”
For three weeks earlier this summer, Fr. John was a chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Scouting groups come from all over the country for treks, and among a staff of over 1,000 people, chaplains from various faith traditions minister to them. Fr. John served alongside other Catholic chaplains in celebrating Mass, and then, with the staff of chaplains, going out for pastoral visits on the trails and assisting with camp operations.
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Fr. John was part of a staff of over 1,000 people who make Philmont hum!
Fr. John is an Eagle Scout – as are three other Viatorians – and his love of nature is rooted largely in his Scouting experience from his youth. This chaplaincy brings together many parts of his vocation: as a Catholic priest, he is celebrating the Sacraments and providing pastoral care; as a Viatorian, he is accompanying young people and sharing about our charism; as a vocation minister, he is giving witness to Viatorian life and resourcing potential discerners – some of whom have kept in touch and continued this exploration.
Fr. John’s duties including celebrated Mass at some unique chapels around the ranch.
“I had the opportunity to work with young adults on staff. All of us were in a common mission of providing for young people as well as being curious about how God present in our every day,” Fr. John said. “I brought a few young staff members with me to the backcountry camps to bring Eucharist – to the outdoors, to where young people had been on the trail for four or five days, to be in an outdoor three-sided chapel with people seeking God. It’s not just the celebration of the Mass but also the journey getting there on the roads, on the trails.”
Fr. John affirms the amazing staff, the fellow chaplains, his teammate Catholic priests from other religious orders, and the fantastic culture and program at Philmont. And as someone who came of age in Scouting in the 1990s and now ministers to Scouts in the 2020s, Fr. John sees and affirms the evolution of Scouting’s hospitality and welcome.
Did you know Scouting is an international activity? Viatorians in Spain help lead Scouting troops, too. Hear more in Ep. 104 of Viatorian Voices!
“Scouting has changed completely. Number one, we have a lot of young women who are a part of it, earning Eagle Scout. When I grew up, it was that girls should do their own thing. But now, what a wonderful way to show the Body of Christ together, working toward a common goal,” Fr. John said. “In recent years, Scouting has been opened to LGBTQ+ youth. Some might wonder if as a Catholic priest you’d be against that. Well, no, we’re for walking with people on a journey. Everyone is made good, as it says in Genesis. Being on staff with people who identify differently is really a blessing.”
Listen to all of Episode 114 of Viatorian Voices on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.