A Journey of Love, Hiddenness, and Divine Calling Leads to Priesthood

METUCHEN  – At the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop James F. Checchio welcomed Rev. Jose Manuel Lim to the priesthood of Jesus Christ for service to the Diocese of Metuchen during a June 24 ordination celebration. 

Fr. Lim's journey to the priesthood has been marked by profound love, hiddenness, and a deep sense of calling. His unwavering devotion to God and the central role that God plays in his life were evident throughout his vocational journey.  Reflecting on his vocation, Fr. Lim shared, "If He is not the complete and absolute love of my life, I might as well pack up and go home." These heartfelt words encapsulate his steadfast commitment to living a life dedicated to the service of God's people. 

The past couple of years has been particularly transformative for Fr. Lim as he completed his formal study at the Pontifical North American College, a national seminary in Rome for the formation of candidates from the United States. As the world grappled with lockdowns and uncertainty of the pandemic, he found solace and renewal in the hiddenness of life, embracing the sanctity of ordinariness. "The grand events and distractions fell away, and all I had was my prayer life, the support of my brothers, and the formation I received. It was a purifying experience that brought me closer to God."

Provided with unique opportunities to serve and learn, Fr. Lim expressed his privilege of being close to the Holy Father, Pope Francis. "To see the humanity of Pope Francis, his pain and sense of sacrifice, deepened my prayers for him. It made me realize the weight he carries on his shoulders, and the importance of praying for the Holy Father."

Recalling the influence of his spiritual mentors, Fr. Lim acknowledges the profound impact of religious and consecrated people in his formation. He attributes his vocational discernment to the influence of sisters, especially the Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, a community of consecrated women in the Roman Catholic Church who live the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience in their Motherhouse based in Bloomsbury, remarking, "My entire formation has been shaped by religious, particularly sisters. Their presence, prayers, and sacrifices have been instrumental in my journey. They have been mothers and older sisters, revealing the beauty of the bride of the Church to me."

Prior to answering God's call to the priesthood, Fr. Lim served as a nurse at Overlook Medical Center, where he witnessed the power of healing and the depths of human suffering. The bedside interactions, the collaboration with healthcare teams, and the tender moments shared with patients and their families all left an indelible mark on his heart. “Being by the bedside of someone who is suffering is one of the greatest privileges. It is in the hospital that I learned what it means to trust, to believe, and to suffer well." Fr. Lim shared. “There are so many moving parts that go into the healing of a person spiritually and psychologically. Giving that up was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life."

Bishop Checchio, the ordaining bishop of Fr. Lim, shared his support and encouragement, stating, "Fr. Lim's experience as a nurse, working with patients in crises and being by their bedside, prepared him for the compassion and pastoral care he will bring as a priest. His background in nursing enriches his understanding of the human person and his desire to serve those in need.”

Fr. Lim's sacrificial journey has led him full circle as he plans to return to Rome during his first year of priestly ministry to complete his License in Moral Theology with a focus on medical ethics at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. His aspiration to serve as a hospital chaplain stems from the profound privilege he finds in accompanying the sick and suffering. He believes being close to those in hospitals allows him to be close to Christ.

"Fr. Lim's journey has been one marked by deep faith, humility, and a sincere desire to serve God's people. We are grateful to God for the gift of his vocation and look forward to the many ways he will transform lives and bring Christ's love to others." shared Bishop Checchio

Hours after his ordination, Fr. Lim celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of St. Mary of Mount Virgin, a worship site of Visitation Parish in New Brunswick, an impactful spiritual home near Saint Peter’s University Hospital where Fr. Lim was trained to serve in hospital chaplaincy. 

“On this side of heaven, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank them enough. When you are confronted with suffering, especially with great illness, there's always more space to learn because you're so close to the cross.”