Greetings All!

 

I'm Father Shawn Roser, aka the "Backcountry Padre," a simple priest of Jesus Christ making my way through the galaxy.

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I've been blessed to serve the people of God in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida, since my priestly ordination in the summer of 2018 A.D.

 

Please join me here on this personal website, for my ongoing Theology 101 video series, thoughts on life, our Faith, homily audio clips, and stories from my other adventures! 

 

When not engaged in ministry, I enjoy exploring God's creation and soaking in the sights of this beautiful world around us, whether in the wilderness on or the water.  

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Disclaimer:

All views expressed here on this website are my own, and due to human error,

may not accurately reflect the views of the Diocese of Venice and/or the Catholic Church,

(although I sure hope they do!!!)
 

Please make yourself at home and look around here! I hope you will find it a source of inspiration, comfort, and fraternity as we climb the mountain of the Lord together.

 

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Here's a little more info about myself, for those who have asked:                     

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Prior to seminary, I earned my private pilot's license and was planning on entering the world of military aviation and aerospace, before I sensed Christ calling me to a deeper vocation.

 

By the Grace of God, my decision to follow the Lord's call to the diocesan priesthood coincided with the Year of the Priest. (2009)  After a long journey in seminary and discernment, I joyfully began my ministry as a Priest of Jesus Christ upon my ordination in 2018.

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Having stepped forward as a new man in Christ, I continue this spiritual pilgrimage, looking upwards to the Son, my heart deeply cognizant of those who have gone before me to make this journey possible, and in a special way, my own dear family and friends.

 

So many sacrifices have been made over the years in order for me to arrive at this point and for that I am forever grateful!  What deeds or words can repay this sacred patrimony? My response, my life's purpose is thus: To lay down my life that others may live, in imitation of the Greatest Love the universe has ever known..."For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." John 3:16

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And so, I reflect on my journey in life so far, as a nod to not only my pioneering ancestors who settled early America, but also to all of us who are on the pilgrim road to heaven, following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

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Over the years, I have been blessed to take religious pilgrimages to various shrines around these United States, Europe and beyond. Having lived and studied in Rome for four years, I was always in awe of visiting the holy sites where the martyrs and saints once lived and died for the Catholic Faith.

Later in my seminary years, I had the blessing to travel to the Holy Land and visit the actual sites of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection and I have never viewed the Bible stories the same- for they have truly come alive!  

 

Regarding outdoor adventures, I've had the opportunity to hike up to an international pass in the Italian Alps, wander the hill-country of St. Francis of Assisi's Tuscany, explore countless ancient ruins, camp in many different national and state parks, celebrate Holy Mass on the highest mountain peaks in a couple of U.S. states, visit active volcanoes in different parts of the world, live through numerous earthquakes and hurricanes and even kayak-camp on a deserted island in the Gulf of Mexico!

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I've also been blessed to go on mission trips, both in Appalachia and in the Caribbean, and attend three World Youth Days: Madrid, Krakow, and Lisbon.  There's nothing quite like sleeping on the ground in a massive field with over 1 million of your fellow young Catholics, all gathered to pray with the Pope and one another.  And speaking of the Holy Father, I've seen both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis in person, and even had the opportunity to meet, shake hands, and talk with Pope Francis!

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I have to laugh because my main claim to fame so far was the brief moment when a journalist snapped pictures of me throwing a snowball in St. Peter's square at the Vatican.  Soon these photos went viral around the world.  Don't believe me?  Just type in "Snowball priest" in any search engine. ;) 

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One of my favorite outdoor memories however, was hiking 100km on the ancient pilgrimage route, the "Camino," to the tomb of St. James the Greater, "Santiago" in Compostela, Spain during Holy Week and being able to serve the Easter Vigil Mass in the ancient Cathedral there.  Buen Camino!

 

Pilgrimages have a way of restoring and renewing us in faith and hope! Even if the trip isn't specifically to a holy site, we should always bring Christ along with us in our hearts and seek glimpses of God our Father in His creation. 

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I recently had the opportunity to serve as a chaplain on a 10-day hiking expedition in the remote desert wilderness of Southeast Utah, and even had the opportunity to rappel and free hang in another of these canyons outside of Moab. Celebrating Holy Mass daily and offering confessions for the college students and leaders on the trip was a joy and it truly felt like a pilgrimage with each step into "God's country."

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​As I look at society, one can truly see that amidst the despair and anxiety of modern life, mankind yearns more than ever for the hope that only God can bring!

 

​The Church, ever ancient, ever new, for over 2,000 years offers the light of Truth: that each of us is loved intimately into being and sustained not by a distant cold God, but one who has suffered, sweated, and bled beside us in order to whisper in our hearts that we are a gift, unique in all creation, special, indispensable, and have a specific purpose to change the world for the better!

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It is always darkest before the dawn, and yet signs of God's grace in the Church continue to advance! I pray that I may be a small part of this movement and renew the face of the earth.

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Wishing you many blessings in the Lord!  God Love You!

 

Sincerely,

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Father Shawn, the "Backcountry Padre"

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