Blue Bell, Pa.The Rev. James Kelly has traveled the world extensively, baptized hundreds, married thousands, and ministered to the ill in hospitals over his extraordinary life. Yes, he even became pals with a saint and an opera diva.
Recently, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s longest-serving priest commemorated both his 100th birthday and the 75th anniversary of his ordination. He is happy to have accomplished these goals, but he almost didn’t because of a medical issue that necessitated life-saving surgery last year.
He strives to make every day matter since he believes God has given him more time.
My health, strength, and energy to travel and see beautiful things were all gifts from the Lord. Kelly recalls, “God was always surprising me.”
Kelly was born into a deeply Catholic family in the Roxborough district of Philadelphia on January 7, 1925, and it appears that her journey to the priesthood was predestined from the beginning. He cherished going to church. Other kids wanted to be doctors, firefighters, or athletes. His dream was to become a priest.
Recalling that his parents were his first parishioners, he laughs and says, “I used to play Mass when I was 4 or 5 years old.” I always had a small altar in my room, and I would construct a vestment, put on a scarf, have some chocolates, and administer Communion to everyone. I would also have a glass and some flowers there.
At the retirement community where he currently resides, Kelly gets up early to celebrate Mass. He enjoys opera. He makes pies.
Parachute jumping, memories, and scaling a bridge to save a life
Kelly looks through a photo album that chronicles his adventures while he sits in his room. Every time he turns a page, he points to black-and-white pictures of himself as a child and highlights significant events in his Catholic life, such as his baptism, confirmation, and priestly ordination.
He laughs and gestures to the picture of a young, attractive priest with his hair styled and a broad smile on his face. “I turned down Hollywood!” he exclaims.
He also cites the picture of him climbing to the top of a bridge in his Roman collar and preventing a man from jumping to his death that was published by a Philadelphia newspaper at the time.
Since no one would ascend, I did so; it was 400 feet high. He claims that the day was really cold. He wouldn’t jump because I was able to talk to him and help him process his feelings. “What will your grandchild say one day: Papa, why didn’t you take me fishing?” I asked him.
During his 19 years as the pastor of Saint Pius X Parish in Broomall, Pennsylvania, which is roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Philadelphia, he joyfully conducted numerous celebrations, as seen in other pictures.
There are pictures of him parachute jumping while on vacation in Mexico. Or that one occasion when he went to see the magnificent Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border, which he remembers as one of the most breathtaking sites he has ever seen.
There was a rainbow, a mist, water sluicing forth, spray, and colors everywhere you looked,” he says. As the children would say, it was fantastic.
Friends, creativity, and appreciating the small things in life
He recalls that he wrote his college thesis on the topic of imagination, saying it’s one of his favorite terms. He claims that Jesus set an example when he prepared his own lectures by using his imagination to instruct.
Other memories he cherishes include seeing Mother Theresa, commonly known as Saint Teresa of Kolkata, and visiting over 100 countries. Kelly claims that after meeting in Philadelphia and bumping into each other at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the two grew close over the years. The 100-year-old also related how he once escorted a group of blind kids to see his friend, famed soprano Joan Sutherland, perform live.
“I’ve had the good fortune to meet some of the most amazing, decent people in the world, and they’ve been very kind and giving to me,” says Kelly.
The flavor of cherries, a lovely melody, or his favorite dish—roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, fresh string beans, and corn on the cob—are among the simple pleasures he now relishes.
He lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, at the Normandy Farms Estates retirement community, where he frequently attends lectures on music, art history, and Egyptology because he enjoys learning.
A portrait of his mother, a note written by the late Pope Francis, and a chalk drawing of the Virgin Mary adorn his flat.
He keeps a picture of Carlo Acutis, the first saint of the Catholic Church’s millennial era, on his bedside table. Kelly is motivated by Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15. particularly Acutis’ passion and his use of his computer expertise to produce an online exhibit detailing the numerous eucharistic miracles that the church has acknowledged over the ages.
The secret to a long life and the custom of a little daily Mass
Without an alarm clock, he wakes up every morning and prays the same thing: Lord, what surprise do you have for me today?
I’m hoping for something pleasant that I’ll love and appreciate. I want to thank you for whatever occurs today, even if I never know.
He hosts Mass at his apartment for a few people in his community after having a cup of coffee.
I never imagined having a private chapel when I first moved here! Following a recent service, retired nurse Kathleen Quigley made a joke. I simply adore my faith, and it’s amazing for me to have someone who is such a passionate believer. I immediately descend the stairs, attend Mass, converse with him, and he shares his food.
Kelly believes the daily Mass in his living room is just as significant as the enormous congregations he had served.
It’s not in a lovely church or chapel. But here, he argues, I may give the Heavenly Father my love and my efforts. He always remembers to express gratitude after the last prayer.
I just had two things to say: thank you. It’s great that I have another day, and I might be able to meet new people and enjoy some delectable cherries today,” he says. “I have no idea what surprises I’ll face today.
His longevity secret?
He chuckles and adds, “I drink a lot of milk.” In addition, I pray a lot.
__
Lilly Endowment Inc. provides financing for the Associated Press’s partnership with The Conversation US, which supports its coverage of religion. This content is entirely the responsibility of the AP.
